Chapter 5: Strange Visions

"Miori…Miori," said a voice, "Uggh…What?" she groaned, "I'm tired let me go to sleep," she mumbled. "Miori!" called the voice urgently.

"Alright I'm up," she forced her self to open her eyes. She could make out a few blurry shapes that loomed before her, it took a few seconds to

get her eyes focused when it did she could see Bryan and Sarah beside her. Bryan looked relieved, "Where am I? Is my baby all right?" she asked.

You are at the RS-002 infirmary," said Bryan holding her hand. "You have passed out while taking a blaster shot on your shoulder nothing serious," Sarah explained,

"And you've been out cold for three days. The doctor checked and said the baby is fine," she added.

Miori sighted with relief and tried to sit up but to find both Sarah and Bryan pushed her back down gently to rest.

"You need rest, no more moving," said Bryan acting like a mother hen. "What happened? Is the expedition fleet all right?" she asked in a worried tone.

"Everyone is fine and you're safe now," said Bryan patting her hand to reassure her. " You almost give me a fright there talking in your sleep," said Sarah.

" Me? Talk in my sleep? " she frowned. "Yeah," Bryan agreed, " You keep mumbling something about ' The Red Eye ' " said Bryan in a concerned tone.

" Who is this ' Red Eye ' anyway ? " asked Sarah. Miori then told them about the dream when the Pexis talked to her.

" So this cult 'The Red Eye' is after the Pexis," said Bryan deep in thought. " What would they want with the Pexis? " asked Sarah.

" Do they intend to use it as an energy source? " she said drawing a conclusion.

" Where is this cult anyway? " said Bryan. " I don't know. They remain hidden perhaps waiting at the correct moment to strike at us," said Miori giving the far away look

in her eyes again. "Are you sure about this?" asked Bryan. "I don't know," Miori sighted " All we have is speculations, perhaps interrogating those who raided us might help,"

she said. "All we can do now is remain vigilant should they ever strike again," she "Enough of the cult what happened after I blacked out?" Miori asked.

Bryan dragged a chair beside Miori then told her everything that happened.

**************************************
~~ Flashback, somewhere near the medical storage area ~~

Renard was walking silently among the shadows of the research ship when suddenly he heard voices.

He took out his blaster from its holster and made his way towards the sounds.

Blaster held ready he quickly rounded the corner, seeing nobody was around he listened again. The voices were coming from a room a few feet away.

Coming to a stop in front of the door he took a step nearer and the door hissed open automatically.

He noticed a woman kneeling beside a man down on the floor and pulled the trigger at the woman.

ZAP!

A beam issued fourth from his blaster hitting the woman on the shoulder.

" NO! " cried Bryan as Miori fell to his side. He instinctively shot Renard on the arm before his assailant took aim.

Renard cried out in pain dropping his blaster and held his wounded arm.

Bryan motioned to shoot again but Renard kicked his blaster away and it clattered somewhere in the room.

The attack gave Brian to kick his assailant on the crotch causing him to buckle for a moment. With great dexterity Bryan shot up from the floor into his fighting stance using by

using the momentum of his legs and gave a punch at the face. That spilt second gave Renard time

to block the attack using his uninjured arm then wrapping his wrist around his assailant's arm he pulled him forward and gave a kick on the chest.

Bryan grunted from the pain and counter attacked by giving a front kick on Renard's face. Renard didn't have enough time to recover from his attack and received the blow.

Renard fell face flat against the wall at the narrow corridor with arms akimbo.

Bryan then came after him and tried to finish him of by slamming his heel at Renard's forehead but missed as Renard dodged away hitting the wall instead.

Before Bryan could recover from his attack Renard knock him down using his body weight.

Renard quickly whipped out a knife that is strapped on his thigh and pounced on Bryan with knife in hand trying to slice his throat.

Bryan counter attacked by giving Renard a kick on the face making him stagger. Bryan then quickly jumped up from the floor and with a cry tackled

Renard's middle towards the wall. Renard dropped his knife as Bryan knocked his stomach slamming his back against the wall. He elbowed Bryan on the back causing his

assailant to fall face down onto the floor. Then grabbing his assailant's head with both hands he was about to twist Bryan's head.

He was so preoccupied with his opponent that Renard didn't see Sarah coming from behind swinging the fire extinguisher to the back of his head.

CLANG!

The knock caused Renard to blink stupidly at Sarah before his eyes rolled and fall unconscious onto the floor.

Sarah shoulders sagged still holding the fire extinguisher in her hands breathing heavily.

Bryan came up and check Renard's pulse, " He is still alive, " he said looking at the unconscious Renard. " Thanks for backing me up, " he grinned at her.

" Anytime, " said Sarah wiping sweat forehead.

" Is Miori Ok? " asked Bryan. " She's fine. I manage to patch up the wound nothing serious though. She's only knocked out," said Sarah.

" Halt! Who goes there? " shouted someone in the shadows. They shifted their gaze towards the sound seeing a silhouette of someone pointing a blaster at them.

Then the figure recognized Bryan and came running forward. " Sergeant Bryan, is everything ok sir? " said the soldier eyeing Renard's unconscious body suspiciously.

" Yes," said Bryan, "Are you one of the support troops I sent for? " he asked. " Yes sir, " said the soldier.

" Where are the others? " asked Bryan. " Near the main entrance sir, we manage to rout all of the raiders losing 5 men out of 20.

Those who had survived our attack are being locked up in a storage room of this ship, " said the soldier.

"Good! I have to get going. Keep them locked in and we'll figure out what to do with them after the battle, " he said.

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

What about the battle that has taken place outside?" asked Miori. " Well, Jack told me all about it, " said Bryan, " He said he was at the docking bay while

Captain Panaka issued an order to fire the ' Static Missiles ', ". " Static Missiles? Isn't that dangerous? " interrupted Miori. " Well yes, when these explode they emit

EMP shockwaves causing all electronics in the vehicle to malfunction in the area. Fortunately none of our pilots were in danger because these malfunctions may cause

any ship to shutdown, fly out of control or even worse explode," Bryan explained. " When the battle is over he then sent out some salvage ships to pickup the enemy's

fighters that are shutdown," said Bryan. "I guess it is a difficult choice for Panaka, it is a desperate situation like in a chess game.

He has to sacrifice a few pieces to win the battle," said Miori. " In a way it is, it is a soldiers life, " he sighted. " Well, I'm glad we're all alive that's what matters, " said Sarah.

" Yes we are all here and that's all that matters, " thought Miori.

Captain Panaka was on his guard now, the attack made him send an encrypted message to Earth's military asking them to send extra escorts.

He had a feeling that the pirates are still out there. Every able-bodied crew is filled in to tend to the wounded or to initiate patchwork repairs.

Although the battle was won but with a cost for about more than 60 people died.

Ceremonial burial services are given to the deceased and messages are sent to their respective families and relatives.

The prisoners were interrogated but they could find a little from their motives of the attack most of them are keeping their lips stiff.

Those few who could not stand the interrogation faced sudden death when they were about to reveal any information.

A week passed and the extra escorts have arrived, in Panaka's plight they send in 2 frigate chassis ships and another mother ship to protect the fleet.

Miori was discharged from the infirmary and was up and about again. The crew spirits rose from the recovery of Miori and wish her well whenever she passed by them.

She and together with Bryan went and talk to Panaka about the cult of The Red Eye.

From their discussion it seems that the captain can do little about it for he is a soldier only in command of his ship. But he said that he would alert the High Command on this matter.

The rest of the journey went peacefully and the fleet stopped at Mars colony to replenish supplies and finish any leftover repairs.

The crew then were left free to explore their surroundings or to lounge around the star port. "Let's go down and see the colony of Mars," said Sarah.

She was talking with Miori, Bryan, Jack and Alexis in the cafeteria. "Hey good idea lets get ready in fifteen minutes time," said Miori.

"What are we going to do over there?" asked Alexis. "Shopping," said Sarah gleefully. The men groaned, "Shopping?" asked Bryan.

"Aw, come on it will be fun besides you are going to miss an opportunity of a lifetime," said Miori patting at Bryan's arm. They got up and walk to their quarters to get changed.

"An opportunity of getting aching feet for a lifetime," whispered Bryan to Jack and Alexis, Jack sniggered at the joke but Alexis said nothing.

Fifteen minutes later they made their way towards the shuttle dock that will transport them down to Mars. On board the shuttle Sarah excitedly pointed

at the brown dusty planet through the shuttle's window. Sandstorms ranged all around the planet making it an inhospitable place but when they approached the atmosphere

they could see some big dome shaped buildings that are scattered over a large area, it seems that humans can find ways to adept with their surroundings.

These buildings are probably eco-spheres that create an earth like environment within it and are interconnected with walkways so the people can go to and fro between them.

The shuttle then came to a stop at one of the ports. When they got of they could see people walking about in a hurry on the days business.

It seems that like earth the people's lifestyles here are no different. They made their way through the throng taking a look around the port. Souvenir shops displayed their wares at

windowpanes trying to attract any shopper's attention but to no avail. "Where do you all want to go first?" asked Miori.

"Hey! let's go to the Chez Bazaar, I've heard it is quite popular here in Mars," said Sarah.

"Well do you all agree?" she asked the rest of the group. Bryan shrugged, "I don't know, let's go anyway since Sarah recommended it," and the rest nodded in agreement.

They walked on looking at the sights and sounds of Mars until they came to a small archway bearing the sign 'Welcome to Chez Bazaar'.

" Well we're here," said Jack peering through the entrance. "Well let's go in then," said Sarah and they walked in.

The streets were littered with stalls and shops selling all sorts of things, ranging from arms, gadgets and strange aromas kept in bottles that give off scents and

many other things that they never seen. The streets are packet with people bargaining and busy doing the days shopping.

Bryan and Jack were at the firearms store admiring some of the weaponry displayed there while Alexis was looking at gadgets sold at a nearby store.

Miori and Sarah were looking at the store displaying some fragrant bottles. These are loaded into a device that is able to spray the fragrant into the air like some sort

of electronic air freshener. They bought some of the fragrances and the device. Miori and Sarah were making their way to another store when something caught Sarah's eye.

A store with a sign that read 'Strange Relics and Artifacts'. "Ooo! Miori let's go and take a look in there," said Sarah pointing at the store and

together they stepped into the shop. They could see the shop was covered in dust, shelves lined the walls holding some of the most curious looking objects.

An old woman appeared upon hearing customers entering her shop. She was dressed in grey robes, stooping on her walking stick.

"Welcome to my humble shop. Is there anything that I that interest you?" she asked. " Thank you, we're just here to take a look around," said Sarah smiling.

The old woman bowed, " Take your time then," she waved her hand around and went back behind the counter arranging some things.

Sarah then went to the shelves on the wall taking a closer look at the objects.

Miori took a look around the area at the main entrance of the shop, she found nothing interesting .

She saw an archway that leads to another room to her right then made her way towards it.

She peered inside, statues were arranged at the corners of the room and there in the middle stood a white pedestal.

She went towards it, she could see ruins inscribed on it half covered in dust.

She blew the dust away chocking in the process as some dust went into her mouth. She couldn't make out what the ruins are saying,

but she could see a mould on top of the pedestal shaped like a jewel.

But the mould is empty and the jewel is missing. She touched the smooth surface of the pedestal running her fingers at the ruins.

Then she slowly made her way up towards the mould feeling the missing jewel. She gasped suddenly in front of her eyes she saw visions.

She saw a great battle occurring somewhere in space. Massive ships bearing the Earth sign are fighting with another fleet.

She saw the Earth's opponents were an army of mechs flying through space together with sleek fighter ships, white battle

ships followed behind and in the lead was a silver mother ship firing it's multiple canons at Earth's fleet.

Then she saw Earths lead ship firing red beams to a large white mech with wings. The visions changed and she saw a boy making his way up to the top of the mountain peek.

She could see him yelling at the top of his lungs his hands reached up to the sky. She gaped in shock for the boy had black hair like hers and brown eyes like Hiroki's.

"Hey! What are you doing over there?" said a voice jolting her back into reality. Miori quickly turned around and saw Sarah standing at the archway.

"Did you see it?" asked Miori. "See what?" asked Sarah looking confused. "T-that battle with Earth's fleet and that white mech," she stammered pointing above the pedestal.

"No, when I came in all I saw is you touching the pedestal," said Sarah. Miori blinked in confusion then sighted.

"I think it is time that we head back. Let's go find the others," with that they waved goodbye at the shopkeeper at the counter and went out.

They had not walked far when Jack and Bryan meet up with them. "Hey, look at what I bought," said Bryan as he shows it to them.

They could see two handles on his palm, the topside had a button and at each end of the handle there is a thin opening.

" Er? What is it? Or have you just lost your sword?" Sarah giggled.

"Very funny," Bryan grinned. "Now watch," he said as he held the handles on each hand and activated the buttons with his thumb.

Then a humming sound could be heard and a split second thin curved laser blades produced at each end of the handle measuring 2 feet.

"Wow that's neat!" said Sarah in awe. Bryan grinned again " They are called 'Kasai Blades'," showing them around to the group.

Just then Alexis appeared with a bag in his hand, "Hey Alexis check out what Bryan got," said Miori. Bryan showed the 'Kasai Blades' to Alexis and he raised his eye browns in

surprise but said nothing. "What did you buy Alexis?" asked Sarah. "I bought some equipment to experiment with the Pexis," he pointed at the bags he was holding.

"Ok, well take a look at it once we get back," said Miori and they strode off towards the port.