Chapter XI

"In three moves, I have checkmate..."

"I say fifty bucks he finally asks her this week." Natasha said to the group sitting around the room in the commons area. It had been nearly months sense the latest attack by the Radom forces and all seemed to have slowed down a bit. During the week it had become apparent that Hayato was finally working up the nerve to propose to Yumi and none other than David was taking the bets.

"Okay fifty dollars for this week, anyone else want to take a chance?" David smirked in his classic gambling voice, something that he had picked up from Goliath on one of his trips to Vegas.

Most of the crew was relaxing on the rare days that they got off. All except for Hayato and Jericho.

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The gym in the Space Knight compound was comparable to a large cavern. Things from a track, several basketball courts, sword fighting, and even a decent sized swimming pool could all be found in there. On the Melee weapons court Hayato and Jericho were busy practicing a little weapons combat.

"Can you guess how much the bet is now Hayato?" Jericho declared as he blocked a swing from is opponents blunted sword with his own. Jericho could tell that his opponent had known of the increasing amount of money that apparently half the base had put in.

"Tell me oh wise one." Hayato remarked in between breaths, his assaults on Jericho were taking their own toll on his body as his energy began to dwindle. He had managed to get some blows in but he suspected that they were allowed. But that didn't stop him from enjoying his fight.

"Oh about four hundred by now, but then again that was when I put my money in." Jericho slyly said as he blocked two attacks and made his final hit that ended the game. Winded and tired, Hayato walked over to the bench where his gear was sitting. Taking a bottle of water out and draining nearly a forth of its contents out Hayato couldn't help but be amused at the thought. Then it dawned on him. "Sense when do you have money?" he blurted at his friend.

Jericho who was still practicing with his blunted sword just smiled as he remembered beating David and Honda at a game of poker, a game that he had gotten the skills from Conrad. "Well let's just say that, Honda will be diverting his check to me for the next month." Jericho said as he took another swing at his imaginary opponent.

Finishing his bottle Hayato decided that it was time to hit the showers. When he mentioned the crews plan on going to a local mall in the city he wasn't surprised at Jericho when he declined the idea of him going with them. True he had begun to be more active with the rest of team he still avoided what he called "unnecessary socialization". Natasha being the stubborn woman that she was tried once to "convince him Russian stile" to come with them only to return mumbling something about needing to read he country's history more. After that most of the team just generally gave up on trying to get him to hang out with them.

As Hayato walked into his room his eyes met a blinding flash, and then the nightmare gave a new view to him.

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Driving a jeep Hayato felt as if someone else was in control of his body. No one else was with him as he drove a long dark stretch of road. He could only move his eyes and listen with his ears. As he looked around he passed a sign stating in big yellow letters: RESTRICTED ZONE. He had seen that sign before, he knew exactly where he was heading. David and Dead's hometown. As he pulled up to the bunker that led down to the secret that it held. He heard on the radio the date, July first, it was exactly one month from now. Then all went dark and Hayato passed out onto the floor.

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"Where the hell is Hayato?!" Natasha shouted. The rest of the group was already loading up into the jeeps. Draco and Fire having declined and decided to go off on their own had gone about a half-hour earlier.

"Maybe he's hiding out in his room, remember last time you girls pilled all your stuff into his arms." Goliath said jokingly. Yumi blushed as she remembered his face at the end of the day as he tried to keep his balance; most of the stuff was hers after all.

"Well none of you strong men were kind enough to volunteer to help carry all the cloths." Natasha snapped back and rejoiced as she watched all but Dead end turn red. Saying a brief curse in Russian Natasha ran off in the direction of the living quarters.

"Hold up, ill come with you!" Dead shouted, shocking more then surprising the others that he had just volunteered to go with Natasha, Willingly!

As the rest of the crew watched them go and hunt for Hayato David just shook his head and climbed into the drivers side of the jeep and waited for them to return.

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They found him lying on his floor in his room. As the door to Hayato's room slid open Natasha was the first to see Hayato sprawled over the floor of his room. Running to his side she quickly felt his pulse. Good, steady and normal. She thought as Dead end turned him onto his back.

Gently shaking him at first Natasha quickly forgot that plan and switched over to giving him a slap across the face. His reaction to her slap was troubling. His eyes had opened but they held no spark of life in them. Damn, he's had another vision. It mush have been powerful enough for him to be like this.

All this time she hadn't noticed that dead had went to the bath room and had returned with a large glass of water which he promptly poured onto Hayato's face. The reaction was instantaneous. Hayato now was sitting up soaked from the water. "Thanks guys." Hayato said in between coughing from the water. Standing up Hayato walked over to the bathroom and closed the door saying that he would be out in a minute.

After a few minutes Hayato returned clothed in his civilian cloths and ready to hit the mall, but behind his face he was still very pale.

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The trip to the mall was uneventful, most of the time David and Natasha were arguing over her commit she made in the hanger while the others tried to stay out of or defended their position in the augment. However Hayato was just gazing off in another direction trying to figure out the maelstrom of thoughts in his mind. The foremost in his mind wasn't his latest vision but rather finally asking Yumi to marry him.

As they pulled into the parking lot David and Natasha were still at it. Getting out of their jeeps the group decided on meeting back in the food court of the mall in about a few hours or so. As they walked in the mall the crew went there separate ways, Yumi dragging Hayato along with her. As they went there separate ways, a dark shadow entered and began to walk the path that Yumi and Hayato had taken.

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The day at the mall had been all right, everyone had found what they wanted or needed. They were now lounging out beside a large fountain in the middle of the mall. Everyone was talking about something or another. Hayato on the other hand was sweating as he tried to think of the way to propose to Yumi. The setting was terrific; he just needed to cough out the words from his mouth. It was now or never, he had to do it or he would be kicking himself in the gut for the next month.

Getting up from where he was sitting he walked over to Yumi, she was setting next to Natasha and Antia talking about what they had gotten from the mall. Swallowing his fear he got Yumi's attention. He could feel the eyes of everyone on him as he got onto one leg and pulled out a small black box.

"Yumi you have always been a great friend ever sense I've known you." opening the small box Hayato presented her with a ring. " Yumi, will you marry me?"

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On the way back to the base the conversations and the congratulations were abound. Natasha, Yumi and Antia were talking about the wedding while the guys were giving Hayato the hard time in the other jeep. The group had agreed to separate the two lovebirds on account that they couldn't get their hands off each other. As they entered the base garage they were greeted by Jericho. By the looks of it, there was defiantly something wrong.

"We got trouble."

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A half-hour after having a relaxing day they were already drained of that and it was replaced by a feeling of dread. That's what war does to you, you were never allowed anytime to your self anymore.

In the short time that they were briefed by D-boys "brother" Jericho, the crew had learned that a group of Radom tekkamen had begun to reek havoc in a small city in London. D-boy and the chief were currently at the space ring and wouldn't be able to make it there in time so it was decided that any members of the team that were close by would go.

As the first images from the city that was being attacked came into view what they saw chilled even dead to the bone. Scattered about the area were several bodies, all of them were stabbed to the sides of buildings. The enemy force consisted of several tekkamen in the immediate area. The enemy made no move to the approaching Space Knight craft; they were too busy slaughtering the already thinning population.

Turning from the screen, Yumi fought back tears of pain and disgust for what was happening the sight was too much for Yumi to take.

As they closed the distance between them and their target the team went down to the Blue Earth's hanger, from what they had just seen, they were doubtful that anyone would be saved when they were within range. Hayato was already in his fighter doing a pre-check when Yumi jumped into her seat. Though she tried her best to hide it, a pure feeling of hatred towards the Radom was radiating off of her body.

"I'm going to kill them Hayato, for each one they killed, for each man woman and defenseless child, they will pay with their lives."

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In the darkness of a partly destroyed building a lone figure stood. Even though the darkness, anyone could tell it was a woman. The beings trim figure stood as a living shadow, observing the carnage that had been unleashed onto this small town. As she continued to watch a small symbol formed on her forehead. Turning her head slightly she could see the flames of a jet engine approaching the small town. A small smile formed on her face.

It's all going according to plan...

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"Deploy!"

Just as quickly as the order was given, earth's last line of defense launched itself into another battle. The town was gone, but that didn't mean that they couldn't avenge the defenseless souls that had been murdered. As they engaged the enemy each of the Tekkaman jumped from the jets to engage an enemy as the pilots provided a diversion.

Each of earth's warriors fought with as if it were their last moments, showing the same amount of mercy their enemies showed their victims, none. As each second passed more and more of their enemies fell, the Space Knights conviction over what they felt fueled the rage and hate they all had swelling in them.

From the shadows, the figure continued to watch as her troops were cut down by the hand full. Silently in her head she counted the down the time. As she continued to watch, she was joined by three other figures, none were human. In a quick series of clicks and whines, Jessica merely held up a single finger, this was how she would complete her master's plan in one swift action.

As the battle wound down to just a mere three Radom warriors, Yumi could not control her hate anymore. Landing sharply on the ground, she concentrated on her single most powerful weapon. A ball of purple pinkish energy formed in front of her. Just as quickly as it was formed it split into three arrow like beams, each one sought out its own target.

The Radom didn't have a chance, all at once their bodies were burned to piles of ashes, their screams still echoed even after their bodies were gone.

"NOW!"

At the command of their master, the tree alien beings jumped into the air. Their bodies' mere blurs as they landed in the center of the once beautiful town. Each one had their backs together, each one poising a strange attack stance.

Space Knights, prepare your self to meet your maker. Jessica thought to herself as she saw in her mind what was to happen next.

All four of the Space Knights saw the strange alien like beings. No one knew how to react. As quickly as they had landed, all three of them quickly jumped up into the sky well passed the cloud line.

Radom warriors? Natasha thought to herself. Three bolts of energy coming from the sky quickly answered her question. Each of the targeted Space Knights jumped away just as the bolts landed where they stood. Descending from the clouds, three armored beings gently landed on the ground. Their armor bore a striking resemblance to the ancient Ninja of Japan. Their amour was black and seemed to be cloth like, a lance was on there back, tied to their owners bodies my a scarlet cloth, a single red eye sat on the back of each of their neck. Their arms were studded with dark green energy cells. A scale like helmet protected their heads. They just stood there each one facing a Space Knight; they all seemed to ignore Yumi for some odd reason.

As they stood there a thunderous sound from the sky came forth as the jets came in, each one targeting one of ninja like Radom. Firing off a volley of plasma bolts each ship was suddenly forced to veer off as the bolts were deflected back to them. In the blink of an eye the enemy had drawn their weapons and deflected each bolt back up to the jets.

This isn't good.

How can we fight something that fast?

What race is this?

All four of Knights thought to themselves as before they could react, the enemy had acted and headed for the lead jet, Hayato's.

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"This is beta ship requesting immediate assistance!!" Hayato shouted into his head set. It didn't take him long to realize who their target was. His first clue was first the lance been thrown at his ship, then black cloaked enemy almost landing on top of him. All he got back was static. He realized that only he could save himself.

As he continued to veer sharply to avoid flying lances and attempts to land on his ship Hayato noticed a small valley. It was his only hope. Turning sharply he could feel the g forces press onto his body.

As he entered the valley he accelerated his ship even faster. At first he thought they had given up on him and had returned to attack his friends, he was given his answer with a jolt. Looking up he was shocked to see on of the Radom had finally landed on his ship. Their eyes locked, both peered into the others soul. With a twist of his arm the enemy sliced off a section of the wing and just as quickly jumped off, rejoining his comrades.

Hayato couldn't control the ship; it was spinning out of control as it tried to cope with the damage to its wing. As he fought to gain height Hayato began to feel the all to familiar sensation of a vision approaching.

Not here! Not now!

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The Space Knights were shocked as they watched their friend fly off being pursued by their enemy. David had half expected half hoped that Hayato would be able to turn around and have the enemy come back so they could finish there job. But as they watched they soon realized that was not the case.

As they continued to look on in the direction their friend had taken, a blinding light suddenly flashed into existence. Silhouetted in the blaze were the three Radom ninja's already making their return to finish off their prey.

They had no time to mourn of even to hope that Hayato had lived. As quickly as the light had faded the enemy had returned. Their target now was Yumi. In an instant, two of the ninjas appeared in front of Yumi, and in unison both punched her in the stomach area. The sound of escaping air followed by her already drained body going limp was small and quiet. Taking Yumi up into his arms one of the ninja quickly jumped up and flew away at lighting speed, leaving the other two to deal with the remaining space knights.

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From the darkness Jessica continued to watch with great excitement as she watched her pet project quickly do its work. She could feel the energy from her warriors begin to fade but she knew they had enough energy to do one final attack. Mentally she sent the command. It wouldn't be long now.

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Receiving their master's orders the two remaining warriors took up their stance. Their arms began to glow as energy began to flow; they were preparing their Voltekka's.

In the short amount of time that all this had happened, both David and Dead had already began an attack. Each one ran towards one of Radom.

The ninja had no choice, they couldn't stop the charging but they had to defend themselves. Pulling their lances they met their enemy. Even as their arms grew in brightness they knew that they would no longer be able to attack with Voltekka's. Both continued to fight their targets. Suddenly one of the ninja screamed out in pain. Looking down at his chest he saw a lance deep with in him. Backing away slowly he looked up at his killer.

With the last amount of strength he formed his hand into a sharp looking blade and stabbed David in the side. David screamed out as he tried to back away, but the ninja wasn't done yet, with all his remaining strength he kicked David back several hundred feet. Looking down at his arm he noticed that his hand was no longer a part of him. With a sigh, his arms went dark and he fell to the ground.

The other ninja quickly realized his ally had been slain. With the remaining strength that residing in himself he quickly took hold of Dead. Rising up several feet into the air he sent the last of his energy to his weapon. In a blinding flash the ninja exploded as his Voltekka cells went critical and exploded, taking with him another of the Knights family, Dead. As the remaining Knights watched on in horror the screams of their friend reach out to them, and then nothing.