Keemew2: Gohan plushie? I gotta get one of those. Thanks for the review Yoyo. If you think my fics rocks now...well…this is just the beginning. Oh, and in answer to your first review…no. The Wild Eagle doesn't do that. I have something much better planned out. (evil grin) And Rika, don't worry. I don't mind that you don't have suggestions. Sometimes they get annoying. I already have this all planned out, the only reason I asked for suggestions in one of my chapies was because I wasn't sure if people were liking it. I'm glad you like it though. It really makes my day to here that kind of support. And Mookie…I just LOVE that name! Mookie-chan! (giggles uncontrollably) Sorry. The heats kind getting to me. I hope you didn't stop reading at Ch. 6. I would really like to know your thoughts on everything else! Thankies guys! Hope you like this chapie! Amazing really. I wasn't sure I'd ever reach ten. And it's still the first day in the fic!
Zoids
Ch. 10-The Spirit Within.
PG-13
General, Drama
Jamie lay on his bed, upside down, reading a comic book. It was one of his favorites. Behind him, the door to his bedroom opened slowly and a figure crept up behind the small boy. Jamie's eyes wandered up just as the figure was looming over him. His eyes widened and he gave a small shriek and threw the comic book to the side just as Oscar jumped on the bed and tickle attacked the little boy. They rolled around for a few minutes laughing and wrestling until a young woman with long black hair came into the room trying to look stern with her arms crossed.
"Didn't I tell you two to go outside when you ruff housed?" She asked. Oscar gave her a devilish grin.
"What fun would that be Janille? Don't worry, when we get to the park today we'll get it all out of our systems." She smiled and shook her head.
"You got a call from Steve today." An image of a cheery man came to Jamie's mind, but he pushed it away quickly.
"Oh, really? I haven't heard from him in awhile."
"Whose Steve daddy?" Jamie asked
"Oh, just an old friend." Oscar noogied Jamie and stood up, "What did he want?"
"He wanted to ask you over for a drink today. He suggested making a date of it for all of us. He wanted Jamie to meet his little girl and his son. See if they got off right together." Another image came to Jamie, this time of a young woman with red hair and a young man with brown hair. Once again he forcefully pushed the vision from his mind and smiled at his parents.
"What did you tell him?" Oscar asked
"We already had plans."
"Okay. Maybe I should call and schedule another time." But Janille wasn't paying attention to her husband. She had looked off to the side with a distant look. Oscar nudged her arm and she looked quickly at him. "Oh, I'm sorry Oscar."
"Have you been taking that medication?" Another image popped into Jamie's head, this time Janille was on the floor, eyes open, bottle of pills on the floor next to her.
"NO!" Jamie shouted. Both parents looked at him quickly.
"Jamie? What's wrong?" Oscar asked, kneeling down next to his son.
"Uh…um, n-nothing."
"You sure?" Janille asked.
"Uhuh!"
"Okay." Janille smiled and looked at Oscar. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I." She answered his question.
"Just wondering." He replied in a soft voice.
"Can we go to the park now?" Jamie asked
"Of course we can." Janille said, smiling down at Jamie.
"Yay!" He cried, hugging his mothers' leg. A tiny voice in the back of Jamie's mind shouted at him. It was far away, but familiar. He frowned and tried to ignore it. Letting go of his mother's leg, he looked around the room curiously. His room. For some reason, it just didn't seem to fit.
Jamie's parents left the room and he dove under his bed to get his shoes. There, he found a plastic model of a Zoid he had never seen before. It looked almost like a dragon. Brief images of a huge Zoid like that came to mind, as well as a young green haired girl. He pushed the memory away, grabbed it and his shoes, and crawled out from under his bed.
"Mind on shining some light on things?" A voice asked in his ear. He turned around quickly and saw a much older version of himself with spiky hair. Jamie frowned, looking at the other person curiously. Then, realization dawned and he glared at the figure.
"What do you want, Eagle?"
"To know what's going on. I black out from your subconscious for just a second and the next thing I know you look like a kid and…wasn't that your mom?"
"Yeah? What about it?"
"Kid, your mom's…." Jamie threw the Zoid at eagle and covered his ears. Eagle dodged the small object and rolled his eyes. Eagle grabbed Jamie's small arm and started to shake him a little when a flood of memories of the last several hours came crashing down on him. Shasta, Pierce, Marker, abandonment. He stumbled back, shocked, and looked at Jamie. Jamie looked back at him hesitantly for a minute, then smiled as if he suddenly remembered what he was about.
"Mom, dad and I are going to the park! Wanna come?"
"As strange as this sounds…I understand what you're doing." He murmured. "Snap out of it, Jamie."
"Snap outta what? I'm going to the park." Jamie replied as he put his shoes on.
"Jamie, you know this isn't real." The boy stopped putting the second shoe on and stared at the wall for a long moment.
"It's better then out there." The boy murmured.
"What?" Eagle asked, caught by surprise. Jamie resumed putting his shoe on like he hadn't said a word, then got up. "Yur crazy, ya know that?" Eagle yelled at him.
"Depends on how you define insanity." Jamie murmured, heading for the door. Eagle wasn't sure how to take that coming from someone who seemed to have regress to a little boy.
"Why are you being so stubborn? Don't you want to see for your self the truth?"
"Truth?" The question seemed to hang there momentarily, then Jamie turned to Eagle and spoke very softly, "What truth? The truth that no one wants me? That all I was ever good for was chores, maintenance and driving that stupid snail?" The form was still that of a child, but the quiet voice fit Jamie as a young adult. It had a slight quaver to it, as if he still wasn't sure about things, but just couldn't keep from thinking otherwise.
"Your more then that!" Eagle retorted.
"Not to them!" Jamie shouted, "Not to anyone." He whispered.
"Jamie-."
"GO AWAY!" Jamie screamed in a child's voice. He ran out the door, slamming it, but the room disappeared before the sound could even echo. Eagle rubbed his temple to relieve some stress and made a difficult decision. It was the only way he could understand things better.
In the dark cell where Jamie lay, a flicker of movement came from his still body. Slowly Jamie's eyes opened and he sat up. He rubbed his head and looked around the dark room. As he stood he took a step forward and ran his head into the wall.
"Oh, crap." Eagle muttered.
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"I can't believe they would do something like that." Shasta murmured. She was trying to deny what Jany had told her. She had been hoping that if she were to cooperate that no body would be hurt. She was afraid of people being hurt because of her and knew they would be if Marker had anything to say about it. She didn't want to believe that people would be so mean.
But that was childish and she knew it. She knew what the real world was capable of. She has known that for many years. She knew how evil people could be. Just because she didn't want it to happen didn't mean it wouldn't. And Jany wanted to make sure she knew it too.
"Trust me Sweety. As hard as it is for someone to understand, as hard as it to believe…they would." Jany replied, "There are things in this world that people don't like and they have to get over it. These people included. They're nothing but cold hearted ruthless creatures without a care in the world about anyone else."
"Hey! I used to work for them!" Pierce replied, "And I know two other ex back draft members who would resent that remark as well."
"Key weird Pierce. EX Backdraft members." Jany murmured. Pierce rolled her eyes. Her gaze wandered over to Shasta and she noticed how glum she looked. She felt bad for running away ten years ago. She kicked herself for not checking back every once in awhile to see how her little sister was doing. Concern mingled with fear darkened her eyes as she thought about what lay ahead for her sister.
"Shasta." Pierce said, addressing the girl. Shasta responded giving Pierce her attention. "Please…I don't want you telling them anything. I don't know what it was that grandfather worked on, but I know it's important."
"You're kidding me, right?" Shasta asked worriedly.
"No." Pierce didn't notice how worried Shasta sounded when she said it.
"Sil, listen to me." Shasta said seriously, "I haven't seen you in ten years. I finally get to see you again and you tell me to condemn you!" She put her head close to her sisters and in a whisper added, "Not only that, but he knows I don't like to see anybody hurt. That makes a lot of potential hostages against me." Pierce thought a moment, remembering how her sister acted ten years ago when she saw people on TV getting hurt. She always got upset; even if it was the bad guy that got hurt. She glanced around the room quickly, realizing for the first time that if these others were harmed in anyway to get at Shasta it would be as if Shasta had pulled the trigger herself. Knowing Shasta, she would think that. Pierce clenched her fist and looked back at her baby sister.
"Sorry Shas. Didn't really consider the pressure."
"I noticed." Shasta grinned, "Dun really matter anyway. As soon as I tell them what they want to know…I'm of no more use to them. They may keep me around for reference, but who knows."
"What is, or was, grandfathers work anyway?"
"You mean to tell me you really don't know?"
"Yes, I mean to tell you that I don't." Pierce replied sarcastically.
"Sharp tongues must run in the family." Shasta mused, "Anyway. In answer to your question, Granddad was working on a combination of historian work and scientific analysis of certain Zoids that particular people use. Scientific Historian if you would. He recently got confirmation from the ZBC to check the systems of that Berserk Fury thing."
"Really?" Pierce asked, startled by that bit of news, "How were they able to control it?"
"They weren't." Shasta laughed out. "No body will ever get that Zoid to cool down except that Vega kid! I'm still not sure how he can handle it! He's a remarkable kid, that's for sure. Anyway, they, or we, had to ask him for help."
"Vega?"
"Yeah. The kids been living in a foster home ever since the Backdraft supposedly went under and that Sarah lady that was taking care of him was arrested." Shasta got a sneaky look on her face and looked at her sister conspiratorially. "Wanna know something interesting that not even Vega knew?"
"What?" Pierce asked curiously
"They found out he has a younger sister. Interesting, huh?"
"Yer kidding!"
"No." Shasta said, "The only reason they knew she was his sister was because they did a DNA check."
"Why would they do that?"
"Well, I'm not sure. It had something to do with them knowing each other right away or something. I don't really remember the details."
"How do you know all this anyway?"
"Vega told me. I was granddad's assistant before he died. I took over when he did."
"Oh. So, Vega has a sister huh?"
"Yeah. Not everyday you find out you have a sister." Then added slyly, "Or at least that she's still alive." Pierce batted her sister affectionately.
"Hey, kid." Terry, the man with the broken arm said, coming up next to the two sisters, "I don't want to sound obtrusive or anything, but I couldn't help listening to the convers. Actually, none of us can." He motioned around the room at all the others. They stood in varying positions, little groups talking to one another. Every so often they would look in Shasta and Pierces direction, some of the ladies giving them little looks that one would register as a mix of pity, anger and disbelief. All perfectly sound feelings considering the circumstances. "I've been doing some thinking," Terry continued, "as have the others. If worse comes to worse…I really don't think you should talk to that guy. You know, give him what he wants and all. We know that's the reason you're here."
"You do realize he could use all of you against me." Shasta whispered, "I don't like to see anybody hurt."
"Yeah, we kinda figured that." Thus the looks, "That is why I'm tellin ya this. But hey!" He said as Shasta lowered her head, "The way I figure it, I don't think were gonna get out of here anyway. And from what I gather, the info. he wants is something they shouldn't have." Before Shasta could answer the door opened again and Harper stepped in.
"Times up." Shasta stood up but didn't move.
"Why haven't you let these people go yet?" She asked instead, "You found your pilot, why do you keep them?"
"It's none of your concern. Move it." Shasta sighed and walked out the door."
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Williams looked through the files he stole and grabbed the one pertaining to Vega Obscura. He ran his finger down the print until he found what he was looking for.
(picture)
Vega Obscura
Pilot of: Berserk Fury
Vega Obscura, age 13, located at the West Hills Foster Care facility along with younger sister Ravine Marianne Obscura, age 8.
"Younger sister? When did that happen? I thought he was an only kid." Williams Shook his head and continued.
Berserk Fury, Ultimate X weapon of the Backdraft group located at the ZBC special command base, area 22. Scientific Historian Dr. Aleck Sandburn…
A beeping noise from his pocket caught his attention and he quickly went to the other side of the room where the computer was and pulled a small device out of his pocket. He pushed a button and a holo image of the ZBC official came to view. "Sir, you realize how dangerous it is calling me?"
"Yes, but we have some bad news."
"What?"
"Vega Obscura and his sister have been abducted from the West Hills Foster facility we put Vega into. We asked Sarah, Vega's old guardian if she knew anything about it and she got a little hysterical on us. I took that as a no. I'm rather worried Tom. I understand why they took Vega, but not his sister. She has no ties to anythin-."
"I might be able to do some clarifying sir." Williams interrupted. "About why they took both of them that is."
"What? How so?"
"Give me more time and I'll give you all your answers." Williams paused, unsure how to approach this next line. "By the way, sir. They found a pilot."
"They did?" The official looked suddenly uneasy.
"Yes." He hesitated
"Well?" The official asked anxiously
"Hemeros's son."
"I was afraid of that. That family has a long history of top pilots dating back to the Helic/Guylos conflict."
"I know sir. Their family has a long history."
"Tom, I want you to be very careful."
"I am sir."
"Good." The holo image vanished and Williams went back to the file. He picked Vega's profile up again and read off Ravine's name. Then he looked to the side of the page and saw that mark. He set the paper down and looked at each of the others. The same mark was on each of them. He set the files down and rubbed his chin. What could this mean? He rifled through the files until he found Jamie's and started reading it.
(picture)
Jamie Hemeros
Pilot of: Reynos and X-Seeker
Jamie Hemeros, age 16, youngest member of the Blitz team. New pilot of the X-Seeker, has been deemed depressive by heredity and inwardly violent. Could be a danger to himself if not watched. Weak mind results in split personality and, in theory, it was due to that fact that he succumbed to the chemical combination of the truth drug faster then normal. With the right words and tone of voice, he could be convinced that Backdraft is his only home….
Williams put the papers down quickly and stood up. Realization of what he just read dawning on him. This was ridiculous! They actually brainwashed the poor kid! Williams quickly put the papers back together and stuck the file under his mattress. He rubbed his face, trying to think. What was he going to do? He had to find some way to get the info. he needed, then get safely off this thing. But he couldn't leave all these people by themselves! Not in the hands of Marker!
Williams stood up aggressively and paced the room a little. He walked to the door and left the room. He walked down the hall, turned down a corridor titled stairs, and descended. He reached the second landing and opened the door. Marker, Shasta, and Harper were walking to the door when he walked in.
"General." Williams saluted automatically.
"Private." Marker acknowledged, "At ease. Just taking the girl to the lab. I'm sure she has some marvelous things to tell our scientists, don't you?" Shasta just glared at him, "Very well. Come along, my dear." Harper nudged her forward and they continued their heading. Williams ground his teeth after the door closed and went down the hall. He had someone he needed to talk to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wild eagle lay on the floor of the cell, not moving. He heard movement outside and hoped it was someone stupid. The cell door opened and he heard a soft voice call to him.
"Hey, kid. You okay in there?" Eagle didn't respond. He just lay there. He heard the person enter the room and set something down, and then felt a hand touch his arm. That was when he acted. He grabbed the arm belonging to the hand and flung him over his shoulder. He put his knee on the others chest and his hand on his throat. He looked at the other person and smirked.
"Well, now. Looks like the table has turned. Wouldn't you say?" Williams stared at the once subdued young man wide eyed. "Nothin' to say?"
Williams thought a moment, then replied, "If your planning on escaping to save your friends, or just escaping to save yourself, it won't work unless you let me talk." This caught Eagle by surprise. He gave the man a thoughtful glance then slowly let go of his neck and got off him, still keeping his guard up. "You sure surprised me. Last I saw of you you were in a depressive state. I heard a lot about depressed people. Your mother included. You had me worried. But then again, yur not the kid, are you?" This caught Eagle by surprise.
"How…?"
"How do I know? I stole a file that had your profile on it. While Jamie was under the effects of the truth drug he must have mentioned it. What do I call you?"
"I'm the Wild Eagle. Jamie calls me Eagle."
"Jamie can talk to you?" Williams asked skeptically.
"Yeah. I know it isn't normal for two personalities to converse with each other, but Jamie isn't normal. He's exceptional. In fact, he's the one who was able to approach me."
"This is odd."
"Yur telling me." Eagle looked at Williams strangely, "Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked
"Why?"
"You look familiar." Footsteps out side made Williams pull his gun on Eagle and pushed him to the ground, startling the other.
"Williams?" Treisa asked looking in. From what she could see, Williams looked like he was checking on Jamie.
"Stay down." Williams whispered harshly, "Yes Sergeant?" Williams asked backing away from the other.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I brought some food in for the boy. If I'm right, he hasn't eaten for a few hours. When I came in he didn't respond so I decided to see what was wrong with him."
"And?"
"He's depressed."
"Oh. Leave the food and follow me. I have some things I want you to take care of."
"Yes, ma'am!" He picked the tray up, walked over to where Eagle still lay on the ground, and set it down next to him. He leaned over and whispered, "Don't make a move till I talk to you again, got it?"
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to have to tell your dad why we're both dead."
"What?" But Williams was already up and heading out the door. As the door closed Eagle looked up and wondered what he meant by that, then berated himself on not just throttling the guy and leaving like he'd planned. He decided he needed to try and talk to Jamie again.
Keemew2: Well, here you have it. What did you think? Please tell me, okay? IT would be very nice to know what you think.
