Chapter 9: Winds of Change

Miori could see Alexis below her with Red Eye troops around him. Her hair billowed about her face as she stared at Alexis with blue-eyed fury.

Everyone stood still afraid to move for they could feel an unknown battle raging between the two.

Alexis was first to break the silence, " Shoot her! " he yelled to his troops. The troopers didn't respond too dumbstruck at the person floating in front of them.

They could feel a powerful aura surrounding her making them hesitate, " SHOOT HER! " Alexis voice boomed and this time the troops draw out their blasters aiming at Miori.

Instinct told Miori to concentrate drawing energy from her surroundings into her. She contained it into her body until she could feel immense pressure inside.

All this happened in a fraction of a second then moved her arm in a pushing motion unleashing these energies onto her unsuspecting foes.

FHOOM! The troopers were pushed with such force that they flew to the air landing 10 meters away into different directions.

Those who where lucky landed roughly onto the walkway unconscious and those who are not fell 30 feet below to their deaths.

The troopers who held Jin and Blair fled in terror, Miori didn't pay much attention to them. She was intent on her killer Alexis, who is firing his blaster at her.

She danced in the air dodging fire until Alexis cried in vain. Then she decided that enough was enough.

She made a crushing motion with her fingers, Alexis cried in pain as an unknown force crushed his hand holding the blaster.

Then she threw her hand forward and Alexis flew across the walkway and slammed against the wall.

He let out a grunt as he slid down. Miori slowly landed down in front of him with Jin and Blair running towards her.

" Miori what's happening? Are you all right? " Jin asked staring at her in awe. " I am Jin, " answered Miori.

Jin noted there is a change in her voice. It echoed deep within her throat and gave an eerie feeling.

He was about to ask her something else when she raised a finger to silence him.

Seeing Alexis trying to stand up she made a chocking hold with her hand and Alexis was pinned against the wall.

He tried to pull away from it but to no avail, " It is time we have a little talk with our friend here, " she glared at Alexis.

" Go on! Do it! I know you want to! " he threatened. " Who is your master!? " she demanded her eyes still blazing.

" You don't scare me! I am trained to resist such treats, " he said boldly.

" Perhaps, but can you stand this! " she shot Alexis into the air spinning him round and round head over heals until he is completely nauseated then she stopped.

" Hah I—Hurk, " Alexis vomited out onto the floor. " Not enough? Then have some more! " she spun him again this time more violently.

" Ok-ay I—hurk—talk, " said Alexis trying to contain his vomit. " My –master—is – Sefron, " he chocked.

" Why does he intend to slaughter everyone for their life force? " she asked.

" To- to, " he stuttered trying not to give out any more information for he knows it's instant death. " Never! I'll never reveal anything.

Kill me if you will it doesn't matter! " he sneered. " My master has the power to restore me! " he praised his eyes burning with hatred at Miori.

" He knows you Miori and now something that you value more than your life is in danger. No one is safe once he has his eyes on that person, "

he laughed so shrilly that his voice echoed through the hall. Miori stared at him angrily.

This man deserved to die since he had betrayed her and everyone who is putting their effort in uncovering the Pexis secrets.

She was about to tighten her hold on his throat when something inside told her not to making her hesitate then she sighted.

" No Alexis I will not kill you but let you suffer from your actions, " she let him down not gently and turned to go leaving Alexis in his thoughts.

Suddenly a spasm of weakness caused her to lose her balance. She fell forward but Jin caught her in his arms before she landed onto the floor.

" Jin Hurry! Our family is in danger! " she said urgently in a weak voice then slumped in his arms.

Jin hoisted her onto his back putting her in a piggyback position and holding her bottom for support.

He started for the door," Blair what are you doing ?" Jin said as Blair took aim with his blaster. He noticed it was aiming at him and before he could utter another word Blair fired.

Closing his eyes he waited for the end but instead he felt the laser blast zoomed past his cheek . He opened his eyes, Blair was making a motion to look behind him.

He saw Alexis dead with blood streamed out of his forehead and in his uninjured hand held a blaster. " Let's get out of here. This is all getting weird, " cried Jin and started to run.

" Wait! What's happening? Why are you so urgent? " said Blair following behind. " My family needs me, " said Jin rushing outside.

Blair stayed back to route the troops that Meyers had on standby into the facility and guard it while Jin ran carrying Miori behind his back to the military car they

parked just behind the warehouse. He started the engine and activated the flying mechanism on and flew the car towards home.

Miori groaned and woke up, she was back to normal again. She turned her head looking out of the window then something caught her eye.

" NOOOOOO! " she screamed causing Jin to jump. He followed Miorr's gaze and he noticed smoke flowing up through side window.

Jin eyes went wide for he could see his house was burning when he landed down, " My BABY! " cried Miori rushing towards the house.

Jin quickly made a grab and caught her before she got to close to the flames. She screamed and struggled until she was exhausted then cried onto his shoulder.

Bryan couldn't say anything to comfort her as he was too absorbed in his grief. Staring into the flames until he could stare no more and looked away.

Suddenly he heard a muffled cry of a baby's, Miori looked up to listen for she heard the cries too. Jin then quickly ran towards the cries that

lead to nearby rubble with Miori quickly following behind. Lifting some burned wooden beams with Miori's help they found the house droid pinned underneath the debris.

The cries of the baby were coming from inside, Bryan tried to pry open the droid, "Ouch!" he recoiled suddenly, the droid's metal surface was burning hot.

Searching the grounds he found a rag and wrapping his hand around it he then rubbed the surface covered with ash.

He saw a button and pushed it and out popped Hibiki out of the droids hold crying at the top of his lungs. Miori stared at disbelief and she grabbed her baby.

tears of joy streaming down on her cheeks. Jin embraced them in his arms looking down at the baby whom had just cheated death.

The next moment he heard a shout and turning his gaze he saw Jien with his wife Ani running towards them.

" What happened? Why is the house burning?!" cried Zen. " They burned it Zen! THOSE MURDERERS BURNED OUR HOME! " cried Jin his eyes filled with tears.

The four of them stood silently in front of the burned down house at dawn. Hibiki was asleep in Miori's arms peacefully.

Covered with soot they remained there throughout the night while the firemen put the flames out.

The police arrived at the scene just as the fire was put out. Together with the firemen the searched through the rubble to find any clues which lead to the source of the fire.

The search took an hour they managed to find some remains of what is believed to be a C-4 hidden in a package.

The search team also found three dead bodies in the rubble. Miori, Jin, Zen and Ani stared silently as the bodies were covered in plastic sheets and send to the nearest hospital.

The bodies were burned from recognition but the four knew those who died were Sarah (she went home early), Shojo and Yuriko.

After the investigations the police then brought them back to their station for further questioning but they were too distraught at the incident to talk.

So they were led to the lounging area and were left to recover from the ordeal. " Some coffee madam? " said a police officer to Miori.

"Thank you. I'll have a cup, " she said. The officer then went to the coffee machine and got warm coffee for Miori and she handed the cup to her smiling.

Miori nodded in approval and took the cup from her. The police officer then left her left to attend other matters.

Miori grasped the cup seeking its warmth against the chill morning. Zen was seated beside her with Naomi asleep with her head on his lap.

Jin Tokai was not with them he had went back to his commanding officer to give his report.

Yun Ching was walking in from the main entrance of the police station with a file of reports in her hand.

She had been very busy lately collecting information about recent murder cases and disappearance of people that are recently occurring.

She was walking towards her work desk when one of the officers called, " Ms.Yun, " called at the door. " Yes? What is it? " she asked stopping her pace.

" Inspector Hamazaki wants to see you in his office, " the police officer said. " I'll be right there, " she said placing the papers in her file on the table.

Chief Inspector Hamazaki Yamashita was staring outside from his window in this chill morning.

Not that there is anything interesting outside he often does this out of habit. Shortly he heard a knock and the door opened behind him, "Come in Yun, " he said still looking outside.

" Did you want to see me inspector? " she asked. " Yes," he turned around. " Have a seat, " he said offering her a chair before his desk.

" Thank you, sir " she saluted and taking a chair Yun sat down before him. " Did you know about a thing called the Pexis? " said Hamazaki softly.

" No, not really. I have heard it is a new resource the military found that is all, " she said. " Actually a scientist in a government agency found the Pexis, " Hamazaki corrected her.

His gaze turned towards Miori sitting at the lounging area through the tinted windows from his office, " What is this got to do with that woman? " she asked intently following his gaze.

" Her name is Miori Shimatzu one of the head researchers in the Agency Of Natural Resources. She is the lead person in researching the Pexis, " said Hamazaki.

" Really? " said Yun in surprise. " Then she must be an important person. " she added.

" Yes she is a highly respected person and I have also just received word from the military to keep a watchful eye and protect her, " said Hamazaki placing his hands

folded in front of him. " Can't the military protect her? " asked Yun. " I'm afraid not. The military has their hands full now since they are dealing with a cult called

'The Red Eye', " said Hamazaki. " Although we do not usually abide such request from the military but I had a hunch that she is something more than just a researcher, "

said Hamazaki. " What do you mean something more? " asked Yun in wonder.

" What the military doesn't know that I have my own network of eyes and ears, " Hamazaki smiled slyly.

" I have a few friends in the military holding key ranks. They said that the Pexis is a sentient being billions of years older than us, " Hamazaki lowered his voice.

" What? It's a sentient being? " the young naïve officer's eye browns shot up. " Yes it is and somehow their scientist reported strange things coming from the Pexis like

high psionic readings. And since it's totally made out of energy it is able to power hundreds of massive colony ships, " said Hamazaki his voice trailing softer forcing

Yun to lean forward to hear better." That is why it is highly valuable and no wonder this cult is after it, " said Hamazaki.

" I see. But I still don't see why she needs protection since the cult is only after the Pexis, " said Yun.

" Yes I know. But one thing is puzzling me the most is why did the cult tried to have her and her family assassinated, " he said suspiciously.

" Because she knows about the Pexis and since the cult knows about it too they don't want her to reveal its secrets, " suggested Yun.

" No I don't think so. There are other scientists who have researched the Pexis along with her and all research data is kept in a secured area.

Where its held I don't know," said Hamazaki. Yun was puzzled, " Who is Miori anyway? " asked Yun looking at Miori this time in wonderment.

" I am not exactly sure but I have a feeling that she is playing her part in something great, " said Hamazaki following Yun's gaze.

" Sir, why are you telling me all this? " Yun asked him. " I am assigning you to watch her and to find out why the cult is so interested in her, undercover, " he said.

" What? " she was so surprised that she nearly fell of her chair. " Sir is it a right choice? I mean I am inexperienced and I still require more training, "

words poured out of her mouth giving every excuse she could think of until she was nearly out of breath. Hamazaki shook his head,

" You still don't look up at yourself to whatever you had achieved Yun," he sighted.

" I have made my decision and I want you to carry out your duty as a police officer and a detective ' To protect and to serve ', " he added for grand effect.

Yun could only stare at the floor she was so overcome by the importance of this assignment that she tried to say yes but instead a small squeak escaped from her lips.

Hamazaki knowing the answer take it as a yes.

Miori's mind raced through the past events from the death of her husband, the discovery of the Pexis, the attack of the cult, the pedestal she touched in Mars,

Alexis's betrayal, her recent resurrection and new powers and the assassination of her in-laws and friends. She thought all of this and realized that for the first time

was very tired so tired that she wished she could just sleep for eternity. She remembered well when the moment she fell into the Pexis, she could feel her life slowly draining away,

" Is this it? The end ? " she asked herself. " I have many things still left undone, I have to finish the decoding Pexis structure cause the people of Earth depended on it.

I still have to find the cult's motive and why they so intent in killing people? And I have to take care of Hibiki, " the memory of her son's name brought tears in her eyes.

" Who will take care of him now? " she asked. She could faintly make out jarred images of blue inside the Pexis.

The Pexis listened to all of what she had said and sadness filled it , " Don't worry my friend you won't be alone because there are others here to keep you company, "

she said to the Pexis. " That is not the reason but I am losing someone I cared about," the Pexis said sadly.

Her breaths are coming short she said, "W--ill t--there be another chance?" as she fought to stay alive.

" There is but I am not sure what effects it will have on you, " said the Pexis. Long ago the Pexis couldn't be bothered much when it sensed something died as

it was all alone but when it got attached to humans the Pexis felt waves of emotion pouring into it making it curious.

It learned anger, sadness, despair, courage, love and most of all friendship .

" Please whatever it is do it for me, I need to get back to my son, " pleaded Miori. The Pexis sighted then it said "

All right I'll do it because of your friendship you have given me something I longed for 'hope' .The hope that someone who understands me.

Just for that I will give part of my life so that you may live, " said the Pexis.

The Pexis then illuminated brightly and could Miori could feel energy radiating into her blood and it renewed her strength. She never felt so alive, it's like being reborn.

The feeling was good, it chilled and warmed her blood at the same time, and it was ecstasy. She closed her eyes trying to embrace the feeling and that's

when she noticed she was floating Miori now forced to bring herself to the present, " What caused her to continue on with her life even though she nearly gave up? "

she was very absorbed on he thoughts until something stirred in her arms and looking down she smiled knowing the answer.

" My son … Hibiki. I promise I will protect you, " she tenderly touched his cheek. No doubt he would also inherit her powers if his life is in danger but she wouldn't risk it.

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

~~Back at the military installation~~

Jin Tokai and Blair McNair were standing in attention in Meyers's office. " At ease men, " he said.

" Congratulations on your mission and now I want the details, " he said shifting in his chair into a comfortable position.

Both Jin and Blair told him from the start on what happened inside after entering the facility.

" Hold on. E.V.A didn't work when you reached the Pexis room? " said Meyers puzzled.

" Yes. I think know why, " said Blair, " We have found this among them, " he held out a device, " A jamming device! " exclaimed Meyers.

" So this cult is not technologically inclined as we thought they were, " he said rubbing his chin. They continued on and were just about to come to the part when Miori rescued them,

" The Pexis suddenly flashed and everyone was blinded for a moment," said Blair. Jin cringed but luckily Meyers didn't notice him.

" Blair is going to reveal Miori's powers and they will probably drag her in to do some experiments," he thought.

" I don't want to see her suffering again! This I promise, " he was about to stop Blair giving off Miori.

Then he stopped listened because Blair had told a totally different story, " when we opened our eyes we saw everyone around us got thrown at the other side

of the walkway dead, " said Blair making some movements with his hands to make the scene interesting." So the Pexis helped both of you? " asked Meyers razing an eye brown.

" Yes, " lied Blair. Jin stared at Blair with his mouthed open, " Jin? " Meyers addressed him and he quickly snapped his mouth close.

" Yes the Pexis helped us, " he said playing along. "I see. Then both of you are dismissed, " said Meyers his tone held no suspicion.

They saluted and walked out of his office and Jin breathed a sigh of relief when he was out of earshot, lying to a senior officer was punishable in the army.

Blair was about to go when Jin called, " I want to thank you, " said Jin to Blair. " What about? " Blair stopped turning around to face Jin.

" For keeping Miori a secret, " said Jin extending his hand for a shake. " No need. I did it because I know what it is like to protect people we cherish,

especially the woman you would die for, " he winked. " Ah, yes, " Jin flushed. " See you then Jin, " he saluted, "Good bye" Jin saluted back and Blair turned to go.

Jin sighted when he left, " Do I really love her? " he asked himself.