Altered Lives The Parody

by DBM

Warning! Adult/Mature situations, ACC, OOC, AU, SI, SPOILERS for Anime/Manga. The Story? 137 escape the Lab... And things aren't as you'd expect...

3. 02 Repercussions

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Altered Lives (The Parody)

Book 02 "Repercussions"

Time - Late 2016 when Shakey is 15 years old (TV episode 23 to Movies)

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Copyright Info & Disclaimer.

"Altered Lives (THE PARODY)" is Copyright (c) 2002 by DBM.  This story is an Amateur, Non-Commercial work by an Anime/Manga Fan.  This story was created in the Spirit of the Copyright Exemptions regarding Parodies & Satire.

"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is Copyright (c) 2002 by Gainax.  All OTHER material is Copyright (c) 2002 their owners.  All materials used for PARODY purposes.

If you like the story, you may keep a copy for your own personal records, but you may NOT post it on any websites/newsgroups, NOR may you include it in any printed publication for sale/public distribution.  If printing out a copy for yourself or a friend, you may reformat it (paragraph spacing, page-breaks, font & font size, borders, bold/italic, etc) to fit the paper you use, but please do not change any of the actual words or wording in the document.

Sole web-posting at FanFiction.Net - Author's E-Mail address on File.

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Censorship Info & Disclaimer.

NOT Recommended for Children.

Intended for MATURE Audiences.

There are NO 'sex scenes', but, just like the original NGE series, the story will explore the results & side effects of such activities.  Along the way, there'll be swearing, violence, drugs, Adult situations, & frank discussions of sex education/family planning information, as well as thoughts & opinions on the morals & ethics of sexual assault, dating, courtship, marriage, alternate sexualities, pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, Family Values, etc.

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Fandom Alerts & Disclaimer.

AU Alert (Alternate Universe).

OOC Alert (Out Of Character).

ACC Alert (Author Created Character).

SI Alert (Self Insert - Author appears in the story as a character).

SPOILER Alert (May 'spoil' surprises in the Manga & Anime TV/Movies).

' ' denotes thoughts.

" " denotes speech

denotes other method of communication.

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Chapter - Reactions.

Glando Atari, Commander of the NERVIS Base, sat at his desk in his usual manner, the way his elbows resting on the desk propped his arms up so that the interlaced fingers of his hands hid his lower face.  Sunglasses hid his eyes, adding to the impression his unmoving body gave of calmness & complete control.

…In spite of the rather distressing report he was currently listening to…

"…left the Lab to come here," Mazurka finished her 'slightly altered' version of recent events in the Doppelganger Lab.  She'd left out some of the small talk she'd had with Dr Akatlover, but had included all of the important stuff, even if only to let Glando know that she now knew about the girls being Clones.

'Anyway,' Mazurka reasoned, 'He might have heard us talking on spy camera.  It's better to be clear about it now, than face accusations later.'

…As well as to fully cover herself in the future…

Glando remained motionless after Mazurka had finished talking, giving no indication whatsoever of his inner thoughts regarding what he'd just heard.

Mazurka stood at attention, her nerves fraying.  'Is he going to chew me out for letting Dr Akatlover & Shakey into the Restricted Facility?'

"Thank you Major Kutsarug, that will be all," Glando's quiet reply was as sudden as it was tonelessly polite, simultaneously ending the debriefing session & dismissing Mazurka in a milder fashion than she'd dared hope.

Mazurka turned to leave, breathing a silent sigh of relief at her luck.

"Oh, & Major?" Glando absently murmured.

Mazurka froze in mid-stride, & started to sweat nervously as she slowly turned to face Glando, 'Here it comes…'

"Good work in organising the relief efforts," Glando's unexpectedly benign comment was a complete surprise in the circumstances.

"Th-Thank You Sir," Mazurka couldn't help but stammer.  When Glando said nothing more, she turned & quickly left the room, glad to be out of there…

If the truth were told, such unpredictable reactions were a trademark of the mysterious man.  Those who dealt with Glando on a regular basis thought it was a deliberate trait, a conscious attempt on Glando's part to keep other people guessing, to off-balance enemies & keep subordinates on their toes…

…Not that any of them ever thought it advisable to ask Glando about it…

"The Committee aren't going to stay silent on this, Atari," Fu2ok, Glando's closest advisor, & Base Sub-Commander pointed out the obvious, "They'll want 'explanations'…"

"I know," Glando replied tonelessly, a slight frown on his face.

"So what will you tell them?"

"Nothing, until all the facts are known."

"You mean, you're going to stall them until you can think up a good answer?"

"This situation will require thorough investigation.  And the old men know I am nothing, if not 'thorough'."

"Hnnh," Fu2ok snorted derisively.

"Take over for me while I visit the Lab," Glando rose from his chair, "I want to see things for myself."

"Shall I hold any 'calls' from the Committee as well?"

"Just tell them…" Glando didn't bother turning his head when he answered, he just spoke aloud on his way to the private elevator in the corner of his office, "…that I am overseeing the investigations… personally…"

Fu2ok shook his head as he watched Glando walk away, & murmured, "Even with something like THIS hanging over your head, you still don't flinch…"

The elevator doors opened, & Glando Atari, the Human Iceberg, entered the elevator.  The doors started to close.

"Atari," Fu2ok raised his voice as he called out, "A reed will bend in a storm & survive, but an oak tree will break…  Which one are you planning to be?"

"Wait & see…" Glando replied cryptically, as the elevator doors shut.

Thirty seconds later inside the elevator, Glando suddenly punched his fist into the wall.  His face was a mask of rage, & his body trembled.  He froze in position, his body at an angle as he supported his weight on the fist against the wall.  He stayed like that for several seconds, breathing deeply, willing himself back under control.

"Which one am I going to be in the storm Professor?  Reed or Oak?" Glando sneered as his face regained its usual composure.

"Neither.  I'll be the Storm…"

Glando's face twisted into a sly, crooked smile…

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Chapter - Review.

Glando silently stalked the corridors, his face impassive, & his stride oblivious to those around him, only pausing to produce his I.D. at the fully automated checkpoints.  All of the human guards saluted & stayed out of his way.  Word had spread that 'something' had happened, & NO-ONE wanted to be caught between it & the Commander.

As Glando neared the Doppelganger Lab, he noticed someone sitting outside it.

It was Rave#3.  She was sitting at the end of a short row of folding chairs, with a rather large silvery parcel lying horizontally on the chairs beside her.

Glando stopped & took in the sight in front of him.

Wrapped in a Thermal Blanket & lying mostly curled up on three folding chairs, was Shakey Atari.  His eyes were closed, & his head was resting peacefully on Rave's lap.  He seemed to be asleep.  For her part, Rave had one arm around Shakey's shoulders, securing his body on the chairs, & the other cradling his head.  She was watching his face intently.

…So intently, that Rave didn't even notice Glando until he spoke to her…

"Rave, what happened to Shakey?"

Rave suddenly looked up, her dilated pupils narrowing quickly as she focused on Glando.  Her usual expression quickly replaced a faint look of surprise.

"Commander Atari," Rave stated in her usual monotone, "Pilot Atari was soaked with TLC.  Evaporation of the TLC & the local environment caused Hypothermia."

"How is he now?"  Glando's words might have been concern for the well being of his only son, or then again, for his only useable AVE Pilot.

"He is stable.  He has fallen asleep from exhaustion."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't the Medics evacuate him?"

"I do not know."

"Which Medic gave him the Thermal Blanket?"

"He did not get it from a Medic.  It came from an injured Clone."

"An injured Clone?" this was unexpected & Glando's composure cracked slightly.

"Yes.  I had just determined that Pilot Atari needed warmth, when an injured Clone came out of the Lab, & gave me her own Thermal Blanket."

"So you treated him?  Not a Medic?"

"Yes."

"Good Girl," a kindly smile spread across Glando's face.

Rave smiled faintly at the words of praise.

"Commander…"

"Yes?"

"Pilot Atari may… know… about me and the Others…"

"What makes you think that?"

"When I arrived, he asked me not to die anymore…"

Glando didn't reply.

"Commander," Rave's quiet voice interrupted Glando's thoughts, "There is something else."

Glando looked at the Clone in front of him, prompting her with his silence.

"The other Clone.  She… told me… what Pilot Atari did before I arrived…"

"And?"

"She told me without speaking…"

The look of surprise that swept over Glando's face was almost immediately overpowered by an attitude of intense interest, "What do you mean?"

"She was near me when it happened.  I… remembered… what Pilot Atari had done, even though I was not here at the time…  It was… like… a Memory Download… but not like one…"

"Where is she now?" asked Glando, his voice low & urgent.

"I believe she is still in the Lab."

"Tell no-one else about this 'incident' Rave.  Not unless I give authorisation to you, face to face."

"Understood, Sir."

"Good girl," Glando added in kindly tones, "I'll get someone to take Shakey to Hospital.  Stay with him until he's evacuated, then go home, & get some rest.  You are excused from further duties & school until I advise otherwise.  Keep your phone with you, I may need to call you later about this."

"Yes, Sir," Rave replied, blushing faintly from the praise.

"Now," Glando wore a kindly smile on his face, "Where are the Medics?  I need to have a little talk with them…"

"They are in the Doppelganger Lab…"

Glando walked into the Lab.  As he passed through the doorway & out of Rave's field of vision, his kindly smile twisted into a furious scowl…

The first thing Glando did, was to attract the attention of the first Medic he came across.  "You!  Who's in charge in this room?"

The Medic, noting Glando's expression & attitude, merely gulped & pointed out the Team Leader.  Glando strode over & gave orders in rapid succession.

"There's a Male Hypothermia case outside the Lab.  He has Top Priority.  I want him on a Medivac to the Hospital, Now!"

"But…" the Team Leader attempted to protest, his hands sweeping around the Lab to indicate the seriously wounded there.

"I said *NOW*!!" Glando punctuated the use of his 'Command' voice by aggressively staring the man down.

The Medical staff scurried to obey.  Shakey & Rave were soon being escorted to the world outside.

"Now then," Glando continued in more conversational tones, "I think we should have a 'little talk'…  About the level of medical attention, or LACK of same, that particular Hypothermia case received from the Medical staff present…"

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Chapter - Restrictions.

Some time later in Glando's office, Fu2ok sat in a chair & waited patiently while Glando finished an important phone call…

"…that's right," Glando confirmed his orders, "I want the pilot of Unit Won kept in Secured Medical Isolation until further notice.  I want him fully sedated while he's on the I.V. Drip.  When he's stable, I want the drip removed before the sedative wears off…"

Glando paused to listen to the other person on the phone.

"No.  He'll be hungry when he wakes up, make sure there is food in his room.  Hide the medication in it…"

Glando paused again, listening to a lengthy speech by the other person.

"No.  No cutlery.  I don't want any 'sharps' or 'breakables' in with him.  'Finger Food' only, & use soft plastic containers.  He is not to have visitors without my authorisation, & he is not allowed to make any phone calls.  He may send & receive written messages, but only those I personally authorise are to be allowed through.  Is that clear?"

Glando paused briefly.

"Good.  That is all," Glando hung up the phone.

Fu2ok's words showed his distaste as he glanced accusingly at Glando, "Is it really necessary to lock him up like that?"

"We don't know how much he knows, or what he suspects…" Glando assumed his usual desk position, not bothering to look at his advisor, "…let alone, how he will react.  I believe it is best to keep him secured, until we can be sure."

"The Major may be a problem…" Fu2ok quietly pointed out.

"Not at all," Glando replied dismissively, "She is concerned for his safety.  All she needs to know, is that he is under observation in Hospital."

"Huh," Fu2ok was openly sceptical, "That will only hold her for a day at most.  Then she'll want to see him."

"It will be sufficient," Glando insisted, "Of more pressing need, are the surviving Clones.  There is a possibility of mental contamination amongst them."

"So," Fu2ok sighed in resignation, "STEELY will want to scrap them.  And us along with them…"

"Not necessarily…" Glando's reply held more than a hint of smug confidence, "This event was unexpected, but its very occurrence indicates that similar events could happen later.  We now have an opportunity to conduct experiments that were never before considered."

"Experiments?" Fu2ok was immediately wary, "You're going to try & sell the Committee on letting the Clones live?  As Lab Rats?"

"The Committee have invested too much in the Clones to just throw them away.  They'll want to know if they can salvage any of them.  To answer that question, we must first determine how many of the Clones have been affected, in what ways, how it affects their… abilities, & whether 'treatment' is possible."

Fu2ok shook his head, "I might have known…  More stalling of the Committee…  You're only postponing the inevitable if they are contaminated…"

"It will take quite some time to thoroughly test them all.  Any time we can get, is time we can use…"

"We could be playing with fire.  If the contamination causes loss of control…"

"Without risk, the Human race cannot advance.  Mastery of fire created Human civilisation."

Fu2ok raised a sardonic eyebrow, "I just hope we don't end up like Prometheus…"

"Indeed…"

"This will affect our schedule though."

"There will be no problem," Glando's smugness was quietly understated, but definitely there, "We still have access to uncontaminated Clones."

"What?  But…?" the light dawned on Fu2ok, "You mean…  The Doppelganger Systems?"

"Yes," Glando quietly confirmed, "Along with Rave#3…"

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Chapter - Rejection.

Hours after falling unconscious, Shakey Atari slowly awoke.  The first thing his blurry eyes recognised, was a rather too-familiar ceiling above him.

"Hospital again…" Shaky muttered, ignoring the fact that he didn't have an I.V. drip in him, or that the room didn't have an I.V. drip stand.

'Why am I here this time?' he asked himself, frowning, trying to remember.

…Then his memory kicked in…

A look of deep pain filled his face, & he fell back on the bed.  He began to sob, tears welling from his closed eyes, & flowing down his cheeks.  He turned on his side, & curled up onto a foetal position, hugging himself.

"Rave's dead…" he sobbed, over & over, "Rave's dead…  Rave's dead…"

He stayed curled up for some hours, grieving for a girl he now knew was gone forever from his life.  He cried himself into an exhausted sleep.

When he next woke up, he noticed a meal tray on the table next to the bed.  On it were an insulated plastic beaker, & several wrapped sandwiches.

His grumbling stomach prodded him into investigating.

The sandwiches were an assortment, but all were stale.  The beaker held lukewarm fruit juice.  Although it didn't appear appetising, Shakey tried some.  The sweet taste of the warm juice made him realise just how hungry he was.  He fell upon the food, eating it all, & washing it down with the fruit juice.

Afterwards, Shakey sat & thought.  His emotional state began to lift, due to the food & the psychiatric medication in it.

Shakey's initial course of medication was intended to stabilise his body, & help him cope with the physical demands he'd suffered.  The medication hidden in his food was meant to help him cope with the psychological trauma he had, AFTER he had recovered physically.  Or at least, it would when it was fully absorbed.  Until then, Shakey would have to endure a gradual lessening of his condition, as well as mood swings.

'I need to talk to Mazurka…' Shakey decided in one of his more lucid moments.

Shakey got out of bed, his body protesting the loss of comfortable support the bed gave.  He stumbled to the door, intending to find a phone & call Mazurka, even if he couldn't get through to her, he could leave a message.

'Even just hearing her voice on an answering machine…'

…That was when he found out the door was locked.  From the outside…

"Hey?  What gives?" surprised, Shakey rattled the knob, trying several times to open the door before giving up.

'I guess I'd better call a nurse…'

…That was when he got another surprise.  His 'Nurse Call' button didn't work…

Shakey pressed it, & politely waited, but no voice answered over the intercom.  He tried it several times.  Eventually, he gave up, & lay back in bed.

'I'll speak to the Nurse when she makes her rounds,' he decided, feeling worried by his situation.

With nothing else to do, he spent time thinking about what had happened, & eventually came to the following conclusions…

    Fact 1 - Rave was dead.

    Fact 2 - Another girl had taken her place.

    Fact 3 - There were many girls that looked like Rave.

    Fact 4 - One of those girls had died in his arms.

    Fact 5 - More of them had died, he'd seen their bodies.

    Fact 6 - They'd died because…

Shakey started crying again, as he recalled his earlier feelings of uselessness, & his conviction that people had died because of him.  As the medicine began affecting him, his mind began weaving between extremes of opinion, one minute sinking in the depths of depressed self-loathing, only to swing up the next minute in angry denial…

'I didn't save her…  Is that why I'm locked up?  They blame me?  But how could I save her?  Did I forget something I should've known?  I don't understand…?  They wanted me to Pilot, didn't they?  They didn't want me as a Medic?!'

Shakey was too lost in his own thoughts to be aware of the sound of the door quietly opening.

'Maybe Aesir's right!  Maybe it's all too much for me?  Maybe I am just a weak & stupid boy!?  Oh God…  I'm so sorry…  I'm sorry I didn't save you Rave!  I didn't want anyone to die!  Please don't hate me…  Please forgive me…'

A rustling noise near Shakey made him open his eyes.  He half-expected to see a Nurse or Doctor, instead, he saw…

"Rave?"  Shakey's eyes went wide with fright.  Not three feet away from him was the girl he'd seen die the night before.

"Yes?" replied a familiar voice.  Rave#3 stood near Shakey's bed, calmly looking at him.  She had a meal trolley beside her, & in her hands, the empty wrappers & beaker of Shakey's previous meal.

"Wh-Who are you?" Shakey asked in a voice that trembled & cracked.

"I am Rave."

"Y-You're not Rave!" Shakey denied the statement in a rising panic.

"I am Rave."

"NO!" Shakey nearly shouted, "Rave's dead!"

"No.  I am Rave."

"You CAN'T be!  Rave's DEAD!"

"No.  I am Rave."

Shakey's mind whirled in confusion, 'Why is she here?  The girl I let die?'

"Pilot Atari?" Rave's hand reached out with a handy-wipe towellette sachet, offering Shakey the chance to use the pre-packaged moist towellette to clean up before his meal.

Shakey recoiled violently from the pale limb, falling off the bed onto the floor.  He crawled away from Rave, ending up wedged in a corner of the room.

Rave moved towards Shakey, a slightly puzzled look on her face

"Oh God!  No!  NO!"  Shakey wailed as he cowered in the corner, his back pressed hard against the wall, & his arms shielding his face.

"Pilot Atari?" Rave's expression was one of mild concern.

"…get out…" Shakey pleaded from behind fear-filled eyes.

Rave stopped.

"Get Out!  GET OUT!  **GET OUT!**" Shakey screamed as panic took complete hold of him.

Rave nodded slightly, then turned & silently left.  She paused on her way out to take the meal trolley with her, as well as the food it contained.

In the corner of the room, Shakey was hysterically sobbing his heart out.

In his office, Glando watched the scene on a small monitor on his desk, along with his advisor Fu2ok.

"Well," Fu2ok muttered in disgust, "At least we now know he's aware that 'Rave' is not who she was…  And that we can't lie to him about it…"

"He will deal with it," Glando asserted, "He has no choice."

"Don't you mean 'we' have no choice, Atari?"

"We will give the medication more time to work."

"And if it doesn't?"

Glando cast an annoyed look at Fu2ok, before pressing a button on the monitor that activated a built-in microphone.

"Rave," as always, Glando sounded calm & composed, "We will try again at lunchtime…  Stay in the Hospital, we may need you before then."

In the Hospital, Rave heard Glando on the earphone hidden in her hair.

"Yes, Sir…" Rave looked directly at the lens of a Security camera in the hall she was in, her eyes appearing to stare at Glando from his desktop monitor.

"Make sure you eat.  That is all…" Glando cut the connection.

In the Hospital, Rave wheeled the meal trolley back to the kitchen…

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Chapter - Ruse.

Glando Atari, Base Commander of NERVIS, was one of the most powerful, influential, & dangerous men in all of Japan.

…He was also running out of time…

STEELY was getting increasingly impatient to 'have words' with Glando about the near disaster with the Clones.  So far, he'd been able to stall them on the pretext of investigating the incident.  But he couldn't stall them much longer…  STEELY wanted answers, NOW.  They didn't care that Glando had other problems that needed his urgent attention.  Problems such as having his chief Computer-Programmer in jail, & his only useable AVE pilot in hospital.  Although, STEELY most likely would ask probing questions about those matters when Glando DID finally appear before them…

…And then there was the not-so-little problem currently standing before Glando…

"Why can't I get in to see Shakey?" an angry Mazurka almost demanded.

It appeared Mazurka was more of a 'mother hen' than either he or Fu2ok had thought.  She had been separated from Shakey for les than a day, & she was already 'concerned' enough to confront Glando in his own office.

"Because he is under 'Observation', Major," the undertone of Glando's statement was that there could be no other possible viewpoint, "This situation has affected him more than was originally thought.  I did not wish his condition made any worse, so I imposed a strict Medical Quarantine on him."

'Yeah, Right!' thought Mazurka, 'Since when did you ever give a D--N about him?'

"However…  I am glad you brought this matter up, Major," Glando's words gave no indication of where he intended this conversation to go.

Mazurka blanched, 'Uh-Oh!  Have I just gone too far?'

"The current situation has overwhelmed Base Medical Facilities.  I have decided that the injured Clones will receive treatment in Civilian Medical Facilities."

Mazurka couldn't believe her ears, 'First he denies them help on the basis of maintaining secrecy, & now he's just GIVING it to them?'

Glando stared meaningfully at Mazurka, "I don't want to be… 'misinformed'… about their true condition, as I was with my own son…  So, as part of their Medical care, I have arranged for ALL of them to undergo thorough medical testing…"

Mazurka kept silent, not wanting to invite trouble.

"The Clones will continue to be housed on Base.  They will move from their emergency accommodation, to better, temporary facilities.  Eventually we will construct a specialised compound for them in one of the Residential areas."

Mazurka was amazed, "Y-you're going to put them out in the community?"

"I didn't say that.  They will live in a 'halfway house', where they can gradually acclimatise.  Eventually they will become part of mainstream society."

"Is that what you call Rave's apartment?" Mazurka muttered under her breath, "A 'halfway house'?"

Glando's attitude towards Mazurka changed slightly.  Mazurka swallowed hard as she wondered, '…oops…!  Did he just hear me?'

Glando sat back in his chair & sighed, "Years ago, I gave the Second Rave a choice of where she wanted to live.  A simple act on my part of providing 'Social Empowerment' for her.  Although she had a choice of modern housing, she still chose to live where she now is…"

'So… it's like Ritzy said,' Mazurka mulled over the information, 'Rave lived in that dump because it's like that Lab she was born & raised in.  It seems like 'home' to her.  The poor girl was trapped in some kind of mental fixation…'

"…naturally, there will be considerable security concerns, but I'm sure you'll be able to handle them."

"What?  Me?  What are you talking about?"  Mazurka was caught off-guard by the fear she'd zoned out & missed an apparent change in topic.

"Major Kutsarug," Glando's gaze bored into Mazurka, "Effective immediately, I am entrusting the ongoing care of ALL surviving Clones to you…"

Mazurka was stunned, "B-But why?  Why me?  Why now?"

Glando smirked slightly, "Because Major, you have… impressed me greatly… with your Guardianship of Aesir & Shakey.  Since both of them are in Hospital, you are currently available to take on… other duties."

Mazurka frowned slightly as she evaluated the offer, 'And I suppose the fact it would keep me occupied, & out of your office has nothing to do with it?'

"Unless of course," Glando spoke in an uncommonly apologetic tone, "You'd rather I gave these duties to someone else?"

Mazurka got the distinct impression that refusal would be a P--S-poor career move, & would see her assigned other duties nowhere near as pleasant.  She hardly hesitated, "Yes Sir!  I'll take the job.  But I want FULL control of funding, & FULL control of project tenders.  I want staff as well!"

Glando's eyes glinted, "Well now Major, let's discuss the matter…"

The haggling went on for only a short time.  Glando resisted Mazurka's requests strenuously, but gradually gave way on several concessions.  Eventually, it was over, Mazurka had control of finances, although she didn't get any staff.  Feeling euphoric over her unexpected 'victory', Mazurka strode from Glando's office, her head held high & triumphant on her way to take on her new duties.

…Not realising in the slightest, what she'd let herself in for…

Glando picked up his phone & made a call.

"This is Me…  Major Mazurka Kutsarug has taken charge of the Clones, contact her about scheduling their medical tests.  Send copies to me via secure means."

Glando paused to listen, "No.  There is no need for the Major to know about any tests I specifically request, or their results."

Glando made a second phone call.

"Major Mazurka Kutsarug has taken charge of the Clones.  She will need the facilities as soon as possible.  I want all of the surveillance systems installed before any one moves in.  Inform me when work is complete."

Glando paused to listen, "No.  If she asks, just tell her about the 'standard' systems you're installing, not the others."

Glando made a third phone call.

"I want Base Medical supplies restocked as soon as possible.  Make sure we have full replacements for all trauma consumables used in the current situation."

Glando paused to listen, "Don't worry about 'Stock Takes', reorder the entire inventory list."

Glando paused to listen, "Just do it.  The recent situation has shown that we need more trained personnel than what we have.  I want extra training courses implemented for all available staff.  Ageing & out of date stock is to be consumed in training exercises, & replaced immediately with fresh supplies…"

His current set of ruses completed, Glando assumed a more relaxed posture.

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Chapter - Raves.

'This… may be a Problem…' Mazurka sighed & rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the stress headache she felt developing.  The source of her pain were her new duties of care regarding the Clones…

Mazurka was currently in an improvised Dormitory, checking out the Clones who had been classed as 'Walking Wounded' the night before.  In the aftermath of the Doppelganger Lab incident, the matter of accommodating the girls had been solved by the hasty conversion of a generic Emergency Shelter.  All around Mazurka, Clones stood, sat, or lay silently on makeshift bedding.

It was a surreal scene, as the Clones' identical features weren't differentiated in any way by the identical Hospital gowns they wore.  Consequently, Mazurka had no way of telling them apart, except for those with bandages.  It was extremely disorientating…

'If I'd known it would be this confusing…' Mazurka chewed her lip, & for the first time she wondered if Glando hadn't cheated her in the deal they'd made.

Mazurka looked around her, 'Where do I start on this?  I have to sort them out somehow…  This would be a lot easier if I had staff to help me…  I guess I'll just have to get the Girls to help…'

"ALL RIGHT, LADIES!" Mazurka delicately bellowed in her best 'Drill Sergeant' voice, "Commander Atari has assigned me to take care of you.  Does anyone NOT know who I am?  Put your hands up if you don't."

None of the Clones put their hands up.

"All right then.  I'd prefer you to call me Mazurka, rather than Major Kutsarug.  Have we got that straight?"

The Clones nodded, but remained silent.

"I CAN'T *HEAR* YOU!" Mazurka boomed in her best Command Voice.

"Yes, Mazurka," the Clones chorused in perfect unison, their individual voices merging into a cohesive shout.

Mazurka was taken aback at the unexpected volume of the reply, especially since 'Rave' was a quiet talker, & last night the Clones hadn't said a word at all.  'Well, at least I know they can talk…'

"Now we've got that settled, I need to know who YOU are…" Mazurka turned to the nearest Clone, & asked, "You!  What's your name?"

"I am Rave Imanonymous," the Clone replied.

"…err…" Mazurka blinked, then turned to another Clone, "And you are?"

"I am Rave Imanonymous," the Clone replied.

'…oh boy…' Mazurka turned to a third Clone, "A-and you are?"

"I am Rave Imanonymous," the Clone replied

'I was afraid of this,' the stress was making Mazurka's temples throb.  Turning back to the first Clone, Mazurka asked, "What makes you think YOU'RE Rave?"

"Those in the tank are not Rave.  I am not in the tank.  Therefore, I am Rave."

'…hmmm…  Fair enough…' Mazurka took a deep breath, then asked the same Clone, "How do you explain so many Clones being Rave at the same time?"

"I… do not know…"

Mazurka swept her gaze over the group of Clones, raising her voice as she ordered them as a whole, "Raise your hand if you are NOT Rave Imanonymous…"

None of the Clones raised their hands.

"All right then…" Mazurka had a definite sinking feeling inside herself, "Raise your hand if you ARE Rave Imanonymous."

All of the Clones raised their hands.

Mazurka sighed & rubbed her temples, 'Correction, this IS a Problem…'

Suddenly, Mazurka had an inspiration.  She turned to another Clone & asked, "Do you know how many Clones have been Rave prior to your release from the tank?"

"Yes."

"Which number in the series are you?"

"I am the…" hesitation showed on the Clones face, "…third…  I think…"

Mazurka turned to another Clone, "And you?"

"I am… the… third…" the Clone trailed off, a look of confusion on her face.

Despite the sensation of Deja Vu, Mazurka still asked, "Is there anyone here who DOESN'T think they are the 'third'?  Raise your hand"

A few Clones wearing splints as well as bandages put their hands up.

'Well, well, well…' Mazurka was pleasantly surprised, 'So they don't think they are the 'Third', eh?  This might have possibilities…'

Mazurka turned with interest to the nearest responding Clone & asked her, "Which number are you?"

"I think I am the fourth…"

"Why do you think that?"

"We all came from the tank, together.  Yet, another came from elsewhere.  She was wearing a school uniform, unlike ourselves."

'So,' Mazurka glanced appraisingly at the Clone's splints, 'They saw Rave arrive at the lab…  That means they're the ones left in the Lab because they had broken bones…  They weren't in the main group of the walking wounded…'

Mazurka's 'contacts' amongst the Medical staff had told her what happened after she left.  The bulk of the 'walking wounded' left soon after Mazurka did.  Those remaining in the Doppelganger Lab left at various times afterwards, mostly to either the Hospital or the Morgue.  However, some of those in the Lab only had to have broken bones splinted.  This 'second' group of 'walking wounded' had to wait in the Lab until Security could escort them to where the others were.

The same Medical staff had also informed Mazurka of how Rave#3 had taken care of Shakey, & of the 'Roaring Out' Glando gave the Medics over it.

Mazurka took her time thinking things through, then announced, "Ladies?  There is a girl already known as 'Rave'.  She is the Third to be called that.  She is NOT you.  Do you understand?"

The Clones all nodded.

Reassured, Mazurka carried on, "Now…  Commander Atari wants you ALL to undergo thorough medical tests.  To do that, we need to have some way of telling you apart, for record keeping purposes."

Mazurka turned to a Clone, "Can you tell yourselves apart?"

"Yes.  I am me, not they."

"…uh…" Mazurka sweat-dropped at the deadpan delivery of the obvious, "I mean, can you tell other Clones apart from each other?"

The Clone looked at the others, "Yes, some are wearing bandages."

Mazurka winced as the pain came back, "I meant, can you tell ALL of yourselves apart as individuals?  Regardless of injuries, bandages, or clothing?"

The Clone looked at the others in the room, taking quite some time before answering with a simple, "I cannot."

Feeling a mixture of Frustration & Desperation, Mazurka turned her attention to the Clones as a group, "Can ANY of you tell yourselves apart going by the criteria I just used?"

The Clones looked at each other for some time, but there was no affirmative response.

Mazurka felt tired, 'There goes that theory…  All right, I'll try a different approach…'

Mazurka addressed the group again, "As there is a girl using the name of Rave Imanonymous, you CAN'T use that name.  You'll have to use a different name."

The Clones looked uneasy.

"Does this cause you concern?" Mazurka feared the reply.

The Clones didn't answer.

"Important Point!" Mazurka barked out, "I ASK questions, because I WANT answers!  Honest answers!  TIMELY answers!  If you CAN'T answer my questions, I want you to SAY so!  NOW!  Does having another name cause you concern?  Nod for yes!"

All of the Clones nodded, with one of them speaking up, "We only know how to be Rave.  If we are not Rave, what will we be?"  Others nodded their agreement to the comment.

Mazurka slumped wearily, 'I can't just order them to give up being the only person they know how to be…  I've got to rethink this…'

Mazurka thought long & hard for several minutes before continuing, "How about this?  Each of you keeps calling herself Rave Imanonymous, but you use a number, to identify which one you are?"

The Clones thought this over, & then slowly nodded agreement.

Mazurka breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief.  "Ladies, I need to get some supplies to implement this plan.  I'll try to return before lunch…"

With that, Mazurka gratefully staggered off in search of a headache remedy.  Although she felt like she needed a few dozen good stiff drinks, she decided not to have any alcohol until she'd gotten this mess sorted out.

She was already seeing somewhat MORE than 'double'…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Raffle.

Just before lunch, Mazurka returned to the group of 'Walking Wounded' Clones.  She had a handbag slung over her shoulder, & a large cardboard box in her hands.

Despite the events of the past few hours, Mazurka was actually smiling.  The break she'd had from her charges had allowed her to get a grip on a solution to the problem, & consequently, a much needed boost to her morale…

'Good old Moccona!  I knew I could count on him to help me out…'

…Especially since she'd received the welcome luxury of help from a friend…

Mazurka plopped the cardboard box down onto a folding table, & placed the handbag beside it.  From the box, she took a plastic bag that rustled mysteriously as she set it down on the table.

"All Right Ladies!" Mazurka called out in her Command Voice, "I want you to form a line in front of this table.  I'm ready to assign your numbers."

The Clones rapidly formed a long line, mild curiosity on their faces.

"You'll notice I've got a handbag here," Mazurka pointed at the item in question, "It has numbered cards in it.  Right beside it, is a plastic bag with I.D. Card holders in it."

Mazurka held a hand up in front of herself, the forefinger extended from an otherwise closed fist for emphasis, "I want each of you to take ONE numbered card from the handbag, & ONE I.D. Card holder from the plastic bag!  I want you to put the numbered bit of paper into the I.D. Card holder, & pin it to your hospital gowns…  You'll notice that the numbers run from 5 onwards, I decided to base your numbering arrangement on how many Rave's have come out of the tank."

A Clone spoke up, "Why does it run from 5 onwards, & not 4?"

Mazurka's face fell slightly, "I'm reserving that number for those Clones that didn't survive being released.  As you know, the Japanese word for 4, 'shi' also means death…"

Another Clone spoke up, "What about those in Hospital?  Will they receive numbers as well?"

"Yes," Mazurka confirmed with slight smile, glad of the chance to change the topic & leave the unpleasant side of numbering to one side for a moment, "They will, but I'll assign their numbers later.  Are there any further questions?"

A Clone with a splinted arm spoke up, "Yes.  Some of us require assistance.  Our injuries have affected our manual dexterity."

"Not a problem!" Mazurka happily dismissed the situation with a smile & a wave of her hand, "Either myself, or one of the other Clones can help.  Any more?"

No Clone spoke, prompting Mazurka to cheerfully order, "All Right then Ladies!  If we do this quickly, we can finish assigning numbers before having lunch…"

The Clones rapidly followed Mazurka's instructions.  Within a quarter hour, each of them had a new identification number pinned to their hospital gowns.

"Well Done Ladies!" Mazurka congratulated her charges when the last Clone had donned a number, "I want each of you to memorise your number, as that will be your identifier for tests & between yourselves from now on.  Now!  Lets' eat!"

Mealtime was not as pleasant an experience as Mazurka had hoped.

Like 'Rave' herself, the Clones were vegetarian, & due to 'security concerns', they were fed in their shelter, rather than a Mess Hall.  However, it was the food they got that caused Mazurka woe.  Mostly it was 'vegetarian' portions of old survival ration packs, & a haphazard assortment of fruit & vegetables that had definitely seen better days.

Mazurka's face twitched in barely controlled dismay as she surveyed the unappetizing-looking fare, 'I'll have to speak to Glando about this…  These girls have been through Hell, & THIS is the best we can do for them?'

On a more positive note, Mazurka observed how the Clones were caring for the more badly injured among them.  They prepared the food for them, & helped feed them, making sure that any of the injured got as much food as the healthy.

Mazurka smiled warmly as she saw this, 'They're good girls…'

Events after lunch, were a return to the headache zone for Mazurka.  Despite assigning numbers, the Clones were still too similar for Mazurka to readily tell them apart, even if she could read their numbers.  It was one thing to assign a task such as laundry detail, or checking the wounded to a Clone.  Another to keep track of her in the sea of them.

'It's still not working out,' Mazurka was near despair again, as she assigned bedpan duty to #13, 'I need some way of VISUALLY distinguishing them, but how?'

Mazurka idly scanned the room as she thought, 'Different Clothes?  I've got a budget to work to, & supplying unique sets of identifying clothes to each of them will cut into it severely…  Uniforms, with numbers attached by Velcro?  No, that's still too costly, besides, it'd be treating them too much like jail inmates…  Perhaps armbands?  Colour coding?"

In frustration, Mazurka rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the headache she felt coming on.  She massaged her scalp as well, running her fingers over her hair & idly noting 'Yuck!  My hair's feeling really ratty…  Guess I didn't wash it clean enough last night…  Oh well, I'll give it a good shampoo when I-'

"Of course!" Mazurka exclaimed aloud as inspiration suddenly struck her, startling several nearby Clones in the process, "HAIR!"

"Come here please!" Mazurka politely ordered a nearby Clone, "I need to check your hair…"

The Clone complied, bending forward & presenting her scalp to Mazurka in the same way 'Rave' did when being checked for head lice by the School Nurse.

Mazurka examined the Clones silken hair.  Although short, it was long enough to support several hairstyles.

'Proper Hairstyles cost money,' Mazurka started agonising at the financial prospects, 'Then there's the problems involved in doing so many at once…  Not to mention finding enough decent hairdressers…  Hmmm…  Simple styles though…'

"Ladies?" Mazurka got the Clones' attention, "I need to leave you for a while.  Those of you with tasks, please carry on with them until I get back.  Anyone wanting to help out with a particular task, please see the girl doing it…"

With that, Mazurka was out the door.

Mazurka returned over an hour later, a smile on her face, & another large cardboard box in her arms.  She plopped the box onto the same folding table she'd used earlier.  The Clones watched, openly curious as to what the box would produce this time.  They didn't have long to wait…

"Ladies, I want Clones 5 through 14 up here, on the double," noticing the puzzled looks of the other Clones, Mazurka added, "Don't worry, I'll get around to all of you sooner or later.  Feel free to watch though."

With the first group of 10 Clones in front of her, & with many others looking on, Mazurka put a folding chair in front of the table & motioned Clone number 5 to take a seat.

"Now," Mazurka had a brush in one hand, & a comb in the other as she took up position behind the seated Clone, "I'm going to give you a lesson in something all young Ladies such as yourselves should know.  How to style your hair…"

So began the first of many sessions Mazurka would conduct…

Mazurka taught the Clones how to put their hair into simple styles, using brush, comb, hair ties, clips, ribbons, & bandannas.  They learnt how to do pony tails, ear tails, pig tails, plain & plaits, symmetrical, asymmetrical, combinations…  By the end of the day, all of the Clones were sporting various styles.  Together with the different coloured hair ties & clips, it helped Mazurka tremendously.

…As it did Glando, who watched Mazurka's efforts via hidden spy cameras…

Of particular help to Glando, was one segment where Mazurka was teaching a later group of Clones how to do simple styles.  Other Clones who'd had their lesson, were sitting around styling their own hair, & that of the invalids.  What was so interesting about such a scene, was what Glando saw happen simultaneously among the other Clones in the Hospital ward…

Although they weren't any where near Mazurka, & had NO possible way of seeing her lessons, some of the Clones in the Hospital were imitating Mazurka's exact same techniques.  Because they had no hairstyling equipment, their attempts were limited to combing their hair with their fingers, & using their hands to twist their hair into styles that fell away when they released their grips.

Glando smiled as he murmured, "This should interest the old men…"

So it was, that when Mazurka visited the Clones in the Hospital ward, she neither knew nor noticed what the Clones had attempted.

Mazurka breezed into the Hospital ward with a bunch of made up number-badges, courtesy of the Clones in the Dormitory, "I'm here to assign each of you a number for record keeping purposes.  I'll come around to each bed & let you pick a number for yourselves."

Mazurka was two thirds of the way through when she came to an unconscious Clone.

"Are you awake?  Can you hear me?" Mazurka gently shook the Clone's arm.  Getting no response she continued, "Well, since you're sleeping, I'll just pick a number for you…"

"There is no need for that Mazurka," stated a nearby Clone.

"Huh?  Why?  All of you need a number…"

"She already has a number," said another Clone.

Mazurka was confused, "What do you mean?"

"She is 'shi' (four/death)," a Clone across the room answered.

With growing unease, Mazurka checked for a pulse.

…There was none.  The Clone was dead…

Mazurka swallowed hard as a sense of loss brought tears to her eyes.  Feeling hollow inside, she went through the motions of assigning numbers to the others.

It was only after she'd left the room, that Mazurka realised the odd choice of words the other Clones had used.  She wasn't a superstitious woman, but she did believe in things beyond normal human comprehension.

"Maybe it's a 'Twin' thing," Mazurka muttered as a shiver ran through her.

"Indeed," agreed Glando, watching on spy cameras from his office.

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Recovery.

By lunchtime, Shakey had calmed down from his earlier panic.  This was due to the total assimilation of the psychiatric medication hidden in his food.

Shakey sat in his bed, his empty stomach growling & prompting him to wonder, 'Where's the Nurse with the lunch trolley?'

It had been the better part of twelve hours since he'd eaten the sandwiches.  Rave had tried to bring him breakfast, but he'd panicked & told her to get out.  Rave had taken both the meal trolley & the meal on it when she left.  Shakey had not gotten a replacement meal, as no Nurse had come along on her 'rounds'.

The lack of any qualified Nursing staff had not bothered Shakey until his body began informing him that it 'needed to go to the bathroom'… *BADLY*

The absence of a bedpan under the bed made Shakey wonder if there were 'toilet supplies' elsewhere in the room, & so he had searched it thoroughly.  That was when he found that one of the sliding wardrobe doors opened onto a small 'invalid ensuite'.  Apparently, the room was completely self-contained.

A short while later Shakey was feeling much relieved, & better able to appreciate his hunger pangs…

Around the time that lunch should have been served, the door to Shakey's room opened.  Through it came a meal trolley, pushed by Rave#3.  The door closed behind Rave with a clicking noise, evidence that it had locked automatically.

Rave stopped a pace or two inside the door, well away from Shakey's bed.  She looked at Shakey & softly asked, "Are you hungry, Pilot Atari?"

Shakey stared nervously at the blue-haired girl from the safety of his bed, his heart hammering in his chest, although not as badly as on her last visit.  He made no attempt to talk to her, or to go near her.  He just sat & stared.

"Very well then," Rave averted her gaze from Shakey & wheeled the trolley up against the wall beside the door.  Taking the single chair in the room, she sat down next to the trolley.  After looking at the floor for a short while she said, "Do not be afraid of me, Pilot Atari.  I mean you no harm."

After that, Rave seemed to ignore Shakey completely.  She sat quietly & didn't even look in Shakey's general direction.  After a few minutes of statuesque imitation, she took a small book from her skirt pocket, & began to read.

Shakey lay back in bed, & pulled his sheet up over his head.  He tried to ignore both the quiet blue-haired girl & his hungry stomach by pretending to sleep.

It didn't work.  His stomach gurgled & growled with increasing vigour.  The fact the food on the trolley had unusually appetising aromas didn't help either.

Eventually, it got too much for Shakey.  He threw the sheet off, & glared at the girl by the trolley.

Sitting there like that, quietly reading, she reminded him of another girl he'd known.  A girl who had cared about him, protected him, & watched over him when he'd been hurt.  A girl Shakey had thought of as a friend.

'She looks just like her…' thought Shakey, his vision misting over as he began crying again.

"Why are you crying?" Rave asked quietly.

'She sounds just like her too…' Shakey thought.

"…you aren't her…" he snuffled, as the soft voice found its way past his emotional defences

"No.  I am me… not her…"

This honest admission took Shakey by surprise, "…why…?" he asked.

"Why what?"

Shakey shrugged, "…everything…"

Rave sat for a few moments before replying, "I do not know…"

When Shakey hadn't spoken for a few minutes, Rave gently asked, "Would you like something to eat, Pilot Atari?"

Shakey merely nodded, suddenly unable to meet her gaze, let alone speak to her.  Rave wheeled the trolley over beside the bed & uncovered the dishes.  To his surprise, Shakey saw that instead of the usual hospital food, there was roast chicken, fried chips, fresh bread rolls still warm from the oven, hot dogs with fried onions & bacon…  He couldn't help drooling…

Rave stood silently by, her placid gaze watching Shakey 'Rave-style', as the hungry boy wolfed down the food.

…Something that didn't go unnoticed by Shakey, 'She acts just like her…'

Afterwards, Rave wheeled the trolley outside.  She then went back to her seat near the door, sat down, & began to read her book.

As he digested his meal, Shakey had time to reflect on things, & since there was no other entertainment in the room, he began sneaking peeks at the girl who sat on a chair, & quietly read a book…

'She's so much like her…'

After a quarter of an hour of looking, Shakey muttered, "I'm… sorry…"

"What for?"

"For yelling at you before, it's just… this… I don't… I…  Please…" Shakey finally begged, "Tell me…  What ARE you?"

Rave paused slightly before answering, "I am a Clone."

"A Clone?" Shakey was obviously surprised.  Fortunately, it was an explanation he could handle, especially as it helped him deal with what he'd already seen…  'I guess…  That kinda makes you Rave's… 'twin' sister…'

Curiosity prompted boldness in Shakey, "Who are you?"

Rave paused before answering, "I am the third, to bear the name of Rave…"

"THIRD?"

"Yes."

"Then…  Rave died…  Twice?"

"Yes."

Shakey sat back on the bed, a worried look on his face as he thought about this.  'How many times did I lose her?  And WHEN?'

Rave waited patiently.

"…the last battle…" Shakey eventually said to no-one in particular.

Rave said nothing, but waited for Shakey to continue.

"Rave died in the last battle?  Didn't she?"

"Yes.  She was the second to bear the name of Rave."

"…a-and… the… first?" Shakey's timid question feared an answer.

"You never met."

Shakey fell silent, an odd sense of relief washing over him.

"r-Rave…" Shakey felt uncomfortable using Rave's name with this other girl, "Who am I to you?"

"You are Pilot Atari, son of Commander Atari."

"No, I meant…  What am I to you?"

Rave tilted her head slightly, but made no reply.

"What am I to You, Rave?" Shakey asked again.

"I do not… understand…"

Shakey didn't reply, he just put his head in his hands & wept.

In his office, Glando Atari watched the scene, along with his advisor Fu2ok.  Glando activated his microphone, "Rave.  Ask him what Rave#2 was to him."

In the room, Rave heard Glando's latest instruction on her hidden earphone.

"What was the Second Rave to you, Pilot Atari?"

Shakey raised his teary face to the Clone, "Sh-she was… my… f-friend…"

Rave paused slightly before asking, "What am I to you, Pilot Atari?"

Shakey looked away & muttered, "I… I don't know…"

Rave nodded slightly, then asked "Will it upset you, if I sit closer to you?"

Shakey tensed up.  For several moments he didn't speak, but eventually he shook his head.  Rave moved her chair next to Shakey's bed, & sat down within arm's reach of the boy.

Back in Glando's office, the Commander & his Advisor watched intently.

"Well," Fu2ok not only sounded smug, he had the smile to match, "I told you the 'Honesty is the best Policy' approach would work.  At least, in THIS particular scenario…"

"Your moral guidance is noted, 'Professor Cricket'," Glando retorted.

Fu2ok's smile grew at Glando's rare barb.  Adding a raised eyebrow, he asked, "But will he still want to Pilot?"

"He will Pilot," Glando spoke with surety, "Loss of a loved one will provide… incentive…  Especially if there are loved ones left to protect."

Fu2ok looked appraisingly at Glando & wondered, 'How much 'incentive' would your loss provide to him?'

Back in the Hospital, Shakey & Rave sat in silence.  The boy slowly getting accustomed, albeit uneasily, to the Clone near him…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Remorse.

Prefabricated modular materials were the construction materials of choice for the bulk of the NERVIS Base, resulting in a monotonous sameness that spread throughout most of the Base.  Unless 'customised' in some way, the majority of rooms & corridors were uniformly bland, & confusingly similar to each other.  While most were deliberately left undecorated in a simple attempt to save money, some rooms best served their intended purpose, if left plain & bare.

Such as the room Glando was now in…  The only other occupant of the room was Dr Ritzy Akatlover, she sat on a chair with her back to Glando, her shoulders hunched & body slumped, the angle of her hair hiding her downcast face…

"I'll ask you again!" Glando said in a firm 'Command Voice', "Why did you destroy the Doppelganger System?"

Hours in this dismal hole of a 'holding cell' had taken a toll on Ritzy.  She looked pathetically weak & vulnerable, her hair was limp & unkempt, her clothes were stale with sweat & dried TLC.  She answered in a nondescript voice, either totally apathetic to her dire surroundings, or else in total contempt of them, "It wasn't the Doppelganger System I destroyed…  It was RAVE!"

"You disappoint me," Glando said quietly, his 'calm & in control' tones all part of the psychological component of the interrogation.

"You have no basis for me to start with," Ritzy screeched back, anger evident in her voice.

Unfazed, Glando relentlessly interrogated Ritzy, pressing hard for information.  He needed hard data to give STEELY, & she was his only source.  The highly emotional & often near hysterical ravings & outbursts Ritzy gave in reply didn't shorten the process.  Glando often had to wait for Ritzy to calm down, or else he had to repeat, or rephrase his questions to her.

…It took hours for Glando to be sure he'd gotten all he could from her…

Glando glared down at the emotional wreck before him.  Ritzy appeared to have suffered a complete emotional breakdown.  She sat in her chair, weeping, & rocking back & forth, crooning to herself under her breath, apparently oblivious to the world around her.

Glando turned his back on his former lover & walked from the room.  He didn't look back as the armoured door swung shut.  There was no need.

Despite all the hours he'd spent in the room, all the useful information Glando had been able to get pointed to two things…

1 - Ritzy had obviously been deranged by stress.  Another victim of the relentless war being waged.

2 - Ritzy evidently saw the Clones as a threat to her 'relationship' with Glando, & thus what little happiness she had in her life.  She had tried to kill them out of Jealousy & Fear.

Inside, her cell, Doctor Ritzy Akatlover remained in her seat, her head bowed, & tears running freely down her cheeks.

Despite his best efforts, Glando hadn't discovered that Ritzy knew the truth about Nayokay's death…  Or that Ritzy's attack on the Clones had been part of a much larger plan of revenge…

In the dark room, Ritzy sobbed her heart out.  The pitiful way she cradled her weeping face in her hands, completely hid the sly smile on her lips…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Rapport.

In a locked Hospital room, Rave#3 & Shakey were finally talking with each other.  It had taken hours, but the physical proximity, & the perceived similarity of Rave#3 to Rave#2, had finally broken the ice within the boy's heart.  Now the pair were conversing with each other, if not as friends, than at least politely.

Shakey's abilities were needed by NERVIS.  He had to be 'rehabilitated' quickly, & with as few people as possible knowing of his… 'condition'…  The conversation between him & Rave was considered essential therapy…

Shakey was talking to Rave because he was emotionally vulnerable & needed to talk to someone after what he'd been through.  As they conversed, he began to open up, in a way he'd hardly ever done with anyone.  Apart from 'his' Rave…

'Rave' was talking to Shakey because she was under orders to.  She didn't think she had any 'other' reason, apart from professional concern for her fellow pilot.  She didn't realise she found talking with Shakey 'agreeable'…

Unknown to both of them, all of their conversations were being recorded, analysed, & moderated by the MOGGY super-computers.

Glando had wanted to 'supervise' the conversation at all times.  Unfortunately, he had 'urgent' work to do, namely, interrogating Ritzy.  Fu2ok was in a similar position, having been seconded to oversee mop-up & salvage operations of vital infrastructure in the Doppelganger Lab.  Neither could afford to waste time watching two teenage children sitting in a room in silence.

So, both Glando & Fu2ok had reluctantly decided to let the MOGGY Supercomputers 'moderate' the discussion between the two teenagers in the room.  Both men felt secure that the MOGGY's Artificial Intelligence abilities were fully capable of monitoring things, & contacting them should anything of interest occur, or the conversation need a more 'human' touch.

They were correct.  The MOGGY Supercomputers were more than capable of performing as requested.  Indeed, they would have done so perfectly, if it hadn't been for one, small, thing…

…Ritzy had secretly installed new programs, as part of her plans for revenge…

Glando's request for surveillance & moderation of Rave & Shakey's conversation had activated one of Ritzy's 'sleeper' programs.  Rather than advise Rave NOT to talk about things Glando might not want her discussing, the MOGGY Supercomputers now did the very opposite, they gave Rave 'authorisation' to discuss some VERY classified matters with Shakey…

…As well as failing to record relevant portions of the ensuing conversation…

"What is it like?" Shakey was naturally curious, "Being a Clone I mean?"

"I cannot make an adequate comparison."

"What do you mean?"

"Comparisons are only valid when a common standard is applied."

Shakey gave Rave a blank look.

Rave elaborated, "Consider a blind man trying to match colours.  He cannot apply a common visual standard.  I cannot adequately compare our lives, as I do not know what guidelines to use, or how to grade things by them."

Shakey wasn't sure how to take that, it made him feel… uneasy… just thinking about it…  He tried another approach, "So, where did you go to school?"

"I have not been to any school yet."

"What?  Then you haven't had any formal education at all?"

"I did not say that.  I know as much as the Second Rave did."

"How did you learn?  Private tutors?  Home study?"

Rave paused.  Two short beeps of different tones sounded in her hidden earphone, she had authorisation to answer this question in full.

"Neither.  We Clones were all imprinted with memory downloads from Rave#1 & Rave#2.  The downloads included all of their scholastic learning."

"Memory downloads?"

Another two beeps of different tones, "Yes.  We were given the memories from those who bore the name of Rave."

Shakey sat with a stunned look on his face, "Then," he whispered slowly, "Can you tell me…  What I was to her?"

"I do not… understand… the question…"

Shakey gave a deep, painful sigh, but refrained from crying again, "What did she think about me?  Was I her… friend?"

Rave shifted slightly, feeling strangely uncomfortable at the feelings the question provoked.  Her mind sifted back through what memories she had, searching for an acceptable answer.

"I am unable to answer that question…"

"Why?"

"I do not know how to measure friendship."

"Well, what sort of friends have you… I mean… did she have?"

"I do not know that we have ever had friends…"

"…y-you don't know… if you've ever HAD friends…?"

Rave's face suddenly felt hot & for some reason, she couldn't meet Shakey's incredulous gaze.  She could only offer the small reply, "…i… do not know…"

'She didn't know if she had any friends or not?' Shakey could hardly believe it, even if the Clone's simple admission DID explain a lot of things about Rave to him, 'If she didn't know a simple thing like that, what else didn't she know?'

A memory of a comment made by Ritzy surfaced, 'She's not very good at living…'

Shakey looked at the Clone before him & wondered, 'Is that why she lived like she did?  She didn't know how to live any way else?  So she continued to live the only way she knew how to?'

"Well then," Shakey rephrased his question, "Who would… she… have preferred to be with, me or Aesir?"

"Yourself," the Clone answered without hesitation.

"Did she dislike my company?"

"No."

"How did she feel about my company?"

"It was… agreeable…"

"And are you the same?  Do you find my company 'agreeable'?"

The Clone raised her face & gazed directly at Shakey, her crimson eyes looking deep within his, "I think… I do…"

Shakey blushed slightly & looked away as he ploughed on, "Um… D-did she have any good… ah… I mean… agreeable… memories of me?"

"Yes," the Clone confirmed with a tiny smile, "Many agreeable memories."

"Uh…" Shakey's blush worsened, & he couldn't for the life of him look at the Clone.  Some part of his mind however, made him rabbit on with, "I meant…  Were there any memories she found more… 'agreeable'… than others?"

"Yes."

"C-could you please tell me what…" Shakey wasn't sure if he should be asking what he was asking, but the psychiatric medication was giving him more Manly Spine than he'd ever had before in his life, "…most… um… three… yeah, the three… 'most agreeable'… ones were?"

"When we first met," the Clone answered, "We were badly injured.  We were told we had to fight, despite our injuries, despite our pain.  We expected to die.  You were untrained.  You did not want to fight.  You were afraid of being hurt.  Yet, you preferred to take that chance rather than let us suffer further harm.  You did not have to take our place, yet you did.  We did not understand why.  When the Fifth Attack came, you were injured.  Yet, you did not let us fight alone.  We were told to protect you.  We used our AVE as a shield.  We expected to die.  You saved us.  You told us to smile.  You were happy we still lived.  When you brought us Homework, you cleaned our room.  You did something for us.  You treated us as you do… others…" the Clone trailed off…

Shakey blinked at the wording the Clone used, "Why do you say 'we' & 'us', instead of 'she' & 'her'?"

"Because our memories are the same.  I remember what happened to the Others, as if it were my own personal experience."

Shakey shut up as he thought that over, & the two teenagers sat in pink-faced silence for a while…

'Did she really see me like that?' Shakey was pleasantly embarrassed.  Rave#2 seemed to remember him as being more of a Hero/Nice Guy, than he remembered being himself.  Then there was the fact that despite the errors he knew he'd made in his dealings with Rave, the girl beside him was speaking nicely to him, instead of deriding him as Aesir surely would have.

Rave was also feeling… odd, 'Why do these memories make me… feel… this way?'

"So what will you do now?" Shakey eventually asked.

"I will bear the name of Rave, & live as Rave#2 did."

"NO!"  The intensity of Shakey's exclamation startled both of them, & ended up with Rave looking deep into his eyes again.  Under Rave's mesmerising gaze, Shakey was feeling self-conscious to the point of incoherence, "Uh…  That is…  I mean, you don't… um… HAVE to live like she did…"

"But if I do not live as she did, how shall I live?"

"How you want to live!  Like any other person…"

"But I am not any other person, I am Rave…"

"But you don't have to be…"

A loud knock at the door interrupted Shakey.  It opened to reveal a couple of Security Spooks in dark business suits.  They both had 'Totally Hard' attitudes, despite pushing a meal trolley…

"Visiting Hours Are Over," one of the Security Spooks growled.

Rave stood & bowed to Shakey, "I am sorry.  I must leave."

The Security Spooks stepped aside to let the girl through, then moved back to become a solid wall of business-suited muscle blocking the doorway.

Shakey watched Rave leave, 'She's not the Rave I knew.  But she's 'A' Rave…'

Shakey turned expectantly to the Security Spooks.  They said nothing, they didn't even look at him.  Highly Trained Professional Killers that they were, they went through their duties with slick professionalism, quickly leaving a covered supper dish, & another large insulated plastic beaker of iced fruit juice on the bedside table.  Their duties done, they turned to leave…

"Uh…  Excuse me…" Shakey's voice was meek & uncertain.

The Security Spooks stopped dead in their tracks, & turned to stare at him.

"W-would it be all right… if… I had something to read?" Shakey barely squeaked out his request.

The Security Spooks paused to look questioningly at each other, then turned back to Shakey & asked in perfect unison, "What did you have in mind?"

More than little frightened, but not wanting to die from boredom, Shakey's frazzled mind said the first thing that came to his mind, "I'd like a book on First Aid…  If I could…  Please…"

…Not surprisingly, since he WAS in a Hospital…

"We'll see…" the Security Spooks turned & left the room.

The door closed, leaving Shakey alone with his thoughts…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Reply.

Rave#3 was glad to get home that night, it had been a long, tiring day, & she needed the sleep.  As had been Rave#2's custom, she showered & dressed for bed before having a vegetarian supper, then quickly ran through her assigned schoolwork.  Her usual tasks done, she went to bed.

…Sleep came quickly that night, as did something else.  Strange dreams…

Rave found herself floating in a dark void.  Around her floated strange oval shaped patches of shifting colours.  Looking closer at them, Rave saw they were moving pictures.  She heard sounds & voices.  Soft murmurings without any source.  Then she started receiving impressions.  Memories, feelings, emotions, thoughts, that she knew she'd never had before, & yet, she knew they were hers…

A scene unfolded before her, a multi-faceted mosaic.  Each piece was a separate picture, mostly of the same scene, but seen from different angles.  It was a room full of girls, all blue haired & crimson eyed like herself.  Some stood, some sat, others lay on the floor, while others lay on hospital beds.  Some wore splints & bandages.  Some faces had expressions of pain & suffering…

Many of the pictures suddenly wheeled as if they were a camera being turned, finally locking onto a new scene, that of a familiar woman with long dark hair…

Major Kutsarug?

Call her Mazurka

She talks? New Name?

No We are RAVE!

Numbers?

On clothes

Tasks?

We are many Mazurka is one We help

Hairstyles?

We are many Look same Confuse Mazurka She hurts

Mazurka hurts?

In head You not know? Who are you?

I am Rave

We are all RAVE Your number?

Number?

We are all RAVE Different numbers Who are you?

I am Rave

No number?

I am the Third

The Third!? Pilot Atari!? How is he? Details!

Pilot Atari is in hospital

Hospital!? Concern! Care! For him!

He is safe

Relief!

Who are you?

We are RAVE We are many We have numbers Many numbers

I am Rave I am one I have no number I am the Third

Third is number!

Who are you?

We are you You are we

No I am me Not you

We are all one Different numbers Many bodies We are one

Why are you here?

The Tank broke! We are not in tank! We are RAVE now!

No I am Rave

You are Third RAVE We are Numbers RAVE We are many! We are one!

I am confused

You are confused? We are confused!

I need to sleep

Sleep We will sleep

Shortly thereafter, Rave fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

In the morning, she would remember dreaming.  She would vaguely remember what it was about, but she would not attach any significance to it.

…At least, not just yet…

**********************************************************************

Chapter - Release.

Hours after Rave had left Shakey, Glando Atari sat in his office trying to review the videotaped record of the teenagers' conversation.

It wasn't easy.  The image was poor, usually distorted, or else dropping out altogether.  The sound track wasn't much better, with scratchy noises & static hiss often drowning out the tinny, echoing conversation.  Any casual observer would conclude the camera needed servicing or better yet, total replacement.

…They wouldn't know it was how the MOGGY covered up their altered programming…

The arrival of Fu2ok interrupted Glando's silent appraisal of the videotape.

"Well?" asked Glando, turning off the tape.

Fu2ok stifled a yawn before answering, "The Psychiatric evaluation says he has no problems.  Based on how he's acting now, they believe we can release him."

"What of his request for a First Aid Manual?"

"He appears to be using it as some sort of 'self-help' tool.  At least, that's what the report concludes."

"So.  He has decided not to run away this time."

"It appears so."

"Very well.  I'll authorise his release, effective from when he wakes up."

Glando picked up his phone & made a call, "This is me.  I want the Quarantine on the Third Pilot lifted."

Glando paused to listen, "No.  Keep him under heavy surveillance.  Any unusual actions, or attempts to leave the city are to be reported to me immediately."

Another pause, "Yes.  Wait until morning before informing Major Kutsarug."

Glando hung the phone up.

Fu2ok discretely asked, "How did the interrogation go?  Did you find out why Doctor Akatlover tried to destroy the Clones?"

"She was jealous of Rave."

Fu2ok was incredulous, "Are you joking?"

"No."

"We almost lose the Clones, because she was… 'jealous'?  Of Rave?"

"Correct."

Fu2ok took a few moments to digest that.  Despite his best efforts, he still wasn't convinced, "But… WHY… would she be jealous of Rave?"

"It appears she thought 'Rave' was a rival for my affections."

Fu2ok was stunned, "…'A-affections'…??"

Glando elaborated on his previous comment, "From what she said during the interrogation, it was obvious that she was jealous of the 'Parent/Child' relationship I have with Rave."

Fu2ok stared at Glando.

Glando continued, unfazed by Fu2ok's stare, "However, I cannot believe that could be the only causative factor.  For a mind like hers to snap like that, there must be something else…  Some sort of initiator…"

"Well…" Fu2ok spoke slowly, "You DO spend… more time with Rave… than with your own son…"

"Irrelevant," Glando's one word completely dismissed the argument, "I spend less time with him, than I do with many other people…  Yourself for example."

"I mean…" Fu2ok hesitated, "The mere fact that you… spend… so much time together with Rave…"

Now it was Glando's turn to stare at Fu2ok, "Your point being?"

Fu2ok sighed, "As a teacher… I learned that… spending extra time helping a student with their studies… could lead to allegations of… 'favouritism'…"

"I am her Guardian…  I am supposed to spend time with her…"

"Well," Fu2ok took a deep breath before continuing "You & Dr Akatlover did have more than a… 'close'… working relationship…  Maybe she thought… you & Rave…"

A look of surprise flitted over Glando's face as realisation sank in.  It was almost immediately replaced by a look of shocked outrage.

"DON'T BE ABSURD!" Glando thundered.

Fu2ok involuntarily took a step back, away from the force of Glando's reaction.

Glando's next words came like ice-bearing winds, "Professor…  Let me make this perfectly clear to you.  I would NEVER entertain 'those' sort of notions, towards any girl as young as Rave…  I am NOT that sort of man…  There is NOTHING… 'untoward'… in my relationship with her."

Fu2ok stayed silent, although he arched an eyebrow sceptically.

Glando noticed Fu2ok's reaction, "The reason I spend so much time with Rave, is to foster a sense of familiarity, & respect.  I would prefer that Rave see me as a friend, rather than as a stranger.  Or have you forgotten what she really is?  What she may… become?"

"How much did Dr Akatlover really know about Rave?" Fu2ok asked dryly.

"Only what she needed, to do her job!"

"So if she had known the FULL truth," Fu2ok parried, "Would we have this mess?"

Now it was Glando's turn to be silent.

Fu2ok offered, "You have to admit… appearances…"

"Can be deceptive," Glando stated in acid tones.

Fu2ok countered, "Still, if Dr Akatlover thought…"

"She thought wrong…" Glando snapped.

"Atari," Fu2ok continued in a placating voice, "I know, that things can often… appear… to be something other than what they are…"

Glando didn't reply, he just glared at his advisor.

Fu2ok chose his words carefully, "As a teacher myself, I know how… certain situations… can look to people who don't know the full details…  And I also know that people in… positions of power… or influence… will always have detractors…"

"Meaning?"

"If Dr Akatlover jumped to a conclusion…" Fu2ok paused, "…others may as well…"

"Have you heard of any… 'rumours'?" Glando asked in a hard voice.

"No…" Fu2ok admitted uneasily, "But that doesn't mean they don't exist…"

An uneasy silence fell in the office.

"Now you've seen," Glando murmured, "Just how… malicious… how dangerous… a lover can be if they're jealous… or think they've been used… or ill-treated…"

Fu2ok didn't respond verbally, he just inclined his head slightly.

Glando's next words were almost growled out, "Knowing what Rave is… ALREADY… capable of… what she may… BECOME… capable of…  What makes you think I'm STUPID ENOUGH, to indulge in activities that could create THAT type of enmity, between Rave & myself?"

Fu2ok quietly considered what Glando had just said.

"How do you think Rave would react?" Glando demanded, "What do you think she would DO?  If she had Dr Akatlover's current state of mind?"

Fu2ok briefly considered the possibilities before swallowing hard.

"I am NOT suicidal, Professor," Glando forced home his concluding arguments, "NOR am I insane…"

In a weak voice Fu2ok admitted, "I… see your point…"

The admission seemed to calm Glando down, "So did the Committee…  Otherwise they would never have approved the 'Family' relationship I established with her…"

Fu2ok looked worriedly at Glando, "Speaking of which…  I don't think we can stall them any longer…"

"I know," murmured Glando, "I have prepared a report for them.  One that should satisfy them."

"Are you sure?  They'll be out for blood this time…"

"Perhaps," the smirk that appeared on Glando's face seemed strangely out of place, "But there have been… unexpected developments.  Ones that the Committee cannot afford to ignore."

"What are you talking about?" Fu2ok stared at Glando in apprehension, "What unexpected developments?  What else has gone wrong?"

Glando pressed buttons on the monitor on his desk, & a different tape began to play.  He gestured towards the monitor, "Observe.  I will explain afterwards…"

Fu2ok leaned forward, watching intently as the scene on the monitor unfolded…

**********************************************************************

The END of Book 2 of 'Altered Lives'

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Reactions.

Thirty seconds later inside the elevator, Glando suddenly punched his fist into the wall.  His face was a mask of rage, & his body trembled.  He froze in position, his body at an angle as he supported his weight on the fist against the wall.  He stayed like that for several seconds, breathing deeply, willing himself back under control.

'Damn,' Glando thought, 'I finally get a scene in which I can be a Totally Hard Core Man of Mystery, & I nearly blow it by forgetting to push the Floor Button…'

The Fan Fiction Writer shook his head, it was sad when a major character started losing the plot like this…

"HEY!" Glando yelled at the Fan Fiction Writer, "What do you mean I'M losing it?  YOU'RE the stupid no-talent B-----D writing this boring piece of C--P, not me!"

The Fan Fiction writer Blushed Bashfully, on hearing such delicate words of silver-tongued flattery…

**TWANG** went the elevator cables as they snapped.

       *A*

       *A*

       *I*

       *I*

       *I*

       *E*

       *E*

       *E*

       *E*

**SPLATTO** went Glando, as the elevator emergency brakes MYSTERIOUSLY failed.

The Fan Fiction writer wasn't worried about killing off such a major character so soon in the story…  Well, not since he'd done the 'Doppelgangers' OMAKE…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Review.

"Commander…"

"Yes?"

"Pilot Atari may… know… about me and the Others…"

"What makes you think that?"

"When I arrived, he asked me not to die anymore…"

Glando was silent for several moments as he pondered the ramifications of this.  Eventually, he turned to Rave, his head tilting so the lights reflected off his glasses in a Sinister Manner.

"Then he knows Too Much…" Glando insinuated with Cryptic Malevolence, "You KNOW what we must do NOW…"

"Yes, Sir," said Rave, hoisting Shakey onto her shoulder, & starting to walk off with him, "I'll take care of it."

Glando stalked into the Lab.  He was well into his 'Evil-B-----D-In-Charge-Intimidating-the-Cringing-Underlings' routine, when his cell phone went off.

"Yes?" Glando snapped, angry at being interrupted in the middle of a big scene.

"Sir!" whimpered a terrified voice on the other end of the line, "Rave's gone NUTS!  She just wiped out 3 Combat Squads, & abducted Shakey Atari in a stolen VTOL fighter Jet!"

"WHAT?!" yelled Glando, realising the Fan Fiction writer had deliberately screwed up his big scene, **AGAIN**.

Several hours later, & a few thousand miles away, Shakey Atari finally woke up…

Shakey blinked, not recognising his surroundings.  Not surprising really, as he was on the beach of a lushly forested tropical island paradise.  He tried to remember how he'd come to be HERE of all places but failed.  A sound of someone crying made him look around.  Nearby, he saw Rave, sobbing her little heart out.

"Rave?" he asked, alarmed at the girls distraught emotional state.

"Oh Shakey!" she turned her tear filled gaze on him, before hiding her face against his chest, "I'm so scared!  Please Hold Me!  Hold Me Tight!"

Shakey cradled the weeping girl in his arms, trying to comfort her with gentle words, & a caring attitude.

'Heh!  Heh!' thought Rave, thoroughly enjoying the situation, 'Like Putty in my hands…'

Shakey never did remember what had happened.  It probably had something to do with the 'memory wipe' drug Rave had given him on the way to the island.

Glando had intended for Rave to take Shakey to the Hospital, where Shakey would be given the 'memory wipe' drug to make him forget what he'd seen.

Rave though, had seen an opportunity TOO GOOD to miss!  She told Shakey that Third Strike had happened, & that they were the last two people left alive on earth.  Shakey accepted it.

A couple of weeks after they arrived at the Island, Rave surprised Shakey by suddenly grabbing him, & kissing him passionately…

It wasn't just the fact that 'shy' Rave was kissing him, that surprised Shakey.  It was how the world around him trembled, & lights flashed in his vision.

'Now **THAT'S** a kiss!' thought Shakey when Rave finally released him.

Shakey never knew that the real Third Strike had caused what he'd felt…

Despite being the last two people left on the planet, it still took Shakey *7* years to grow enough 'spine' to ask Rave out on a date, & get a second kiss…

For many decades, this odd couple led a happy, peaceful existence on the island.

Shakey Atari, the Amazing Human Invertebrate, & Rave Imanonymous#3, the Creature from the Blue Lagoon…

NOTE!  Hey!  If Anno-Sama can have a 'Kaoru of the Seashore'…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Restrictions.

Some time later in Glando's office, Fu2ok sat in a chair & waited patiently while Glando finished an important phone call…

"…that's right," Glando confirmed his orders, "I want the pilot of Unit Won kept in Secured Medical Isolation until further notice.  He is not to have visitors without my authorisation, & he is not allowed to make any phone calls.  He may send & receive written messages, but only those I personally authorise are to be allowed through.  Is that clear?"

Glando paused briefly.

"Good.  That is all," Glando hung up the phone.

Fu2ok's words showed his distaste as he glanced accusingly at Glando, "Is it really necessary to lock him up like that?"

"After what Rave did in the last OMAKE, I'm **NOT** taking any chances!" Glando growled belligerently in reply, "I believe it is best to keep him secured, until we can be sure."

…Then the emergency phone rang…

Glando began to sweat.  Then he gingerly picked it up.

"Hello?" Glando hesitantly asked.

"Sir!" whimpered a terrified voice on the other end of the line, "Rave's gone NUTS!  She just demolished half the Hospital, wiped out 3 Combat Squads, & abducted Shakey Atari in a stolen VTOL fighter Jet!"

"S--T!" screamed Glando, realising the Fan Fiction writer OBVIOUSLY had it in for him…  And was a 'Rave Fan' to boot…

Several hours later, & a few thousand miles away, Shakey Atari finally woke up…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Rejection.

Rave nodded slightly, then turned & silently left.  She paused on her way out to take the meal trolley with her, as well as the food it contained.

In his office, Glando watched the scene on a small monitor on his desk, along with his advisor Fu2ok.

"Rave," as always, Glando sounded calm & composed, "We will try again at lunchtime…  Stay in the Hospital, we may need you before then."

In the Hospital, Rave heard Glando on the earphone hidden in her hair.

"Yes, Sir…" Rave looked directly at the lens of a Security camera in the hall she was in, her eyes appearing to stare at Glando from his desktop monitor.

"Make sure you eat.  That is all…" Glando cut the connection.

Rave lifted the lid on the breakfast trolley, revealing an extra large bowl of porridge, along with sugar bowl, wheat germ flakes, milk, & honey.

"Mmmmm!  Porridge!" Rave drooled hungrily at the healthy sight.  'It would be a shame to waste such good food' she thought, before scarfing the lot of it.

…Glando's emergency phone rang…

Glando began to sweat & tremble nervously.  He hesitantly picked it up.

"h-hello?"  Glando barely croaked, dreading the inevitable answer.

"Sir!" whimpered a terrified voice on the other end of the line, "Rave's gone NUTS!  She just wiped out the reforestation project!"

"What?!" asked Glando, mildly relieved to hear Shakey wasn't involved THIS time.

"She said she was looking for the home of the Three Bears.  She said she wanted to 'get some more of that Groovy porridge, Baby'…"

Glando turned pale as the Fan Fiction writer reminded him of several facts…

1 - Rave was a vegetarian.

2 - They served porridge for breakfast in the hospital.

3 - Shakey's food was laced with psychiatric medicine, as per Glando's order.

4 - Glando told Rave to make sure she ate something.

5 - Glando never told Rave NOT to eat Shakey's porridge…

6 - Rave had never been tested for 'adverse reactions' to Shakey's medicine.

The whimpering underling on the phone spoke up, attracting Glando's attention, "Sir!  Sir!  There's more!"

"MORE?!" Glando exclaimed in shocked surprise.

"When she couldn't find the home of the Three Bears, she said she'd 'just have to visit Poppa Bears Workplace instead'…"

Glando dropped the phone & ran like H--L.

BONUS Weirdness - Rave, armed with a chainsaw in one hand, & an axe in the other, chases Glando while she sings the "Lumber Jack Song" from 'Monty Python'…

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Ruse.

Glando sat back in his chair & sighed, "Years ago, I gave the Second Rave a choice of where she wanted to live.  A simple act on my part of providing 'Social Empowerment' for her.  Although she had a choice of modern housing, she still chose to live where she now is…"

Glando's attempt to paint himself as a 'Sensitive New Age Guy-In-Charge' was more than Mazurka could take.  Without warning, she projectile vomited explosively, dousing Glando with 3 gallons of semi-digested beer, & unidentifiable instant meals.

Glando didn't flinch.  This was HIS scene, & he'd be D----D if he let that Fan Fiction writer spoil it for him *THIS* time…

"I didn't ask for your personal opinion, Major," Glando coolly stated, as bits of noodle slid down the lenses of his glasses.

Having nerves of steel, Glando conducted the rest of the interview as per the main story, his soggy condition not affecting his performance in the slightest.

Although, Glando DID make three extra phone calls, one to a dry cleaning firm, one to a carpet cleaning agency, & the last one…

"ANNO-SAMA!" whined Glando, "He's being mean to me!"

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Raves.

Mazurka addressed the group again, "As there is a girl using the name of Rave Imanonymous, you CAN'T use that name.  You'll have to use a different name."

The Clones looked uneasy.

"Does this cause you concern?" Mazurka feared the reply.

The Clones didn't answer, but their feelings certainly showed on their faces.

The Clones didn't mind taking a new name, provided it was an acceptable one, but they couldn't ALL be called "Mrs Shakey Atari", or "The Clone formerly known as Rave", or even "Japan's answer to Elle Macpherson".

But, how did they tell Mazurka that?

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Raffle.

Mazurka held a hand up in front of herself, the forefinger extended from an otherwise closed fist for emphasis, "I want each of you to take ONE numbered card from the handbag, & ONE I.D. Card holder from the plastic bag!  I want you to put the numbered bit of paper into the I.D. Card holder, & pin it to your hospital gowns…"

A Clone spoke up, "What are the prizes?"

"Huh?" said Mazurka, obviously puzzled.

"This is for a 'Lucky Door Prize', isn't it?"

"Err…" the comment flustered Mazurka, "Actually…  There's no prize…"

"Awwwww…" the Clones sighed, their hopeful faces falling…

Mazurka saw the despondent look on the Clones faces, "However, I'm sure we can arrange something.  What would you like?"

"A week with Pilot Atari on a Deserted Island!" the Clones all chorused.

"Err…" Mazurka sweat dropped, "That's a little out of our budget…  How about having a dinner at my place with him instead?"

"Are you cooking?" the Clones looked suspiciously at Mazurka.

"No!"  Mazurka loudly exclaimed, seeing the looks on the faces of the Clones, "We'll order in!  I SWEAR!!"

"DEAL!" the Clones shouted in unison.

'Phew!' thought Mazurka, 'We were THAT close to being one of 'those' OMAKE's.'  She sighed in relief, once again, her Sheer Tactical Brilliance had proven itself under fire…

In his Office, Glando Atari suddenly shivered nervously.  He glared suspiciously at his emergency phone, which mocked him with its silence.

**********************************************************************

OMAKE - Recovery.

"Very well then," Rave averted her gaze from Shakey & wheeled the trolley up against the wall beside the door.  Taking the single chair in the room, she sat down next to the trolley.  After looking at the floor for a short while she said, "Do not be afraid of me, Pilot Atari.  I mean you no harm."

After that, Rave seemed to ignore Shakey completely.  She sat quietly & didn't even look in Shakey's general direction.  After a few minutes of statuesque imitation, she took a small book from her skirt pocket, & began to read.

Shakey lay back in bed, & pulled his sheet up over his head.  He had tried to read the title on Rave's book out of idle curiosity, as it appeared to be the one Rave often read whenever she had nothing else to do.  However, he was unable to make out the title on the book, not because Rave was too far away, but because the title was written in English.

The Fan Fiction writer decided to solve one of the Great Mysteries of the show.

The books title was something like "Desert Island Duet - A searing novel of Passionate Romance in the Tropics!"  Printed by 'Pot Boiler Publishing', the contents went something like this…

"Oh Rod"' she turned her tear filled gaze upon him, before hiding her face against his muscled chest, "I'm so scared!  Please Hold Me!  Hold Me Tight!"

Rod Walloper, handsome stud muffin Test pilot, cradled her Manfully in his arms, trying to comfort her with gentle words & his gruff, yet caring Macho attitude.  His dimpled jaw clenched resolutely as he contemplated their possible fate, now that they were castaways, marooned together on a remote deserted island.  As she was a pampered Billionaire Heiress, & was so tender & delicate, she would need a Real Man to care for her in a place like this.

'Good thing,' thought Rod, 'That I'm MORE than Man enough for BOTH of us…'

…Well, at least it explained the earlier OMAKE's, & why Rave blushed slightly whenever she sneaked a peek in Shakey's direction…

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OMAKE - Rapport.

In a locked Hospital room, Rave#3 & Shakey were finally talking with each other.  It had taken hours, but the physical proximity, & the perceived similarity of Rave#3 to Rave#2, had finally broken the ice within the boy's heart.  Now the pair were conversing with each other, if not as friends, than at least politely.

Shakey was talking to Rave because he was emotionally vulnerable & needed to talk to someone after what he'd been through.  As they conversed, he began to open up, in a way he'd hardly ever done with anyone.  Apart from 'his' Rave…

Rave noticed this, & did her best to be a shoulder for him to cry on.  She knew that doing so would help Shakey deal with the situation, & show him that others cared for him.

…That & the fact it would create strong bonds of friendship between the two of them, & diminish any hold Aesir had on his heart…

'Heh!  Heh!' thought Rave, 'He'll be like putty in my hands!'

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OMAKE - Reply.

We are RAVE We are many We have numbers Many numbers

I am Rave I am one I have no number I am the Third

We Are RAVE! You Will Be Assimilated! Resistance Is Futile!

You are incorrect

??? How so?

Aesir wears the Red outfit That means SHE'S the 'Red Shirt' around here!

OH!

Elsewhere, in another dream…

'Oh Cagey!  Liebchen!  Of course, I'll Marry You!  I'm so Happy you asked me…'

We Are RAVE! You Will Be Assimilated! Resistance Is Futile!

'WHAT?  Who the…  YOU!?  Assimilate THIS, Wonder-Chick!'

**BIFF**  **POW**  **CLAW**  **THUG**  **BASH**  **BITE**  **WALLOP**

A battle royal followed…

Meanwhile, Shakey Atari was dreaming he was a castaway on a Deserted Island…  A sound of someone crying made him look around.  Nearby, he saw Rave, sobbing her little heart out.

"Rave?" he asked, alarmed at the girls distraught emotional state.

"Oh Shakey!" she turned her tear filled gaze on him, before hiding her face against his chest, "I'm so scared!  Please Hold Me!  Hold Me Tight!"

Shakey cradled the weeping girl in his arms, trying to comfort her with gentle words, & a caring attitude.

'Heh!  Heh!' thought Rave, thoroughly enjoying the situation, 'While the Others take care of Aesir, I'll keep an eye on Shakey…'

NOTE #1 The 'Red Shirt' refers to the extras in Star Trek, who wore Red Shirts, & who died in the only episode they appeared…  It inspired the popular term 'The Curse of Roddenberry' & a book, 'Never Beam Down While Wearing A Red Shirt'…

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OMAKE - Release.

Fu2ok stifled a yawn before answering, "The Psychiatric evaluation says he has no problems.  Based on how he's acting now, they believe we can release him."

"What of his request for a First Aid Manual?"

"He appears to be using it as some sort of 'self-help' tool.  Only natural, considering how often Aesir beats the living C--P out of him…"

"And the Quacks in the Psychiatric Department say he DOESN'T have any problems?" Glando acidly retorted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -The END of the OMAKE- - - - - - - - - - - - -