Chapter 4: Fortress of Echoes

Jason walks down the corridors of the snow fortress, until he reaches a room with a giant monitor.

"This base's security force is light. Oh well, no need for heavy defense on a cloaked installation." Jason seats himself at one of the lesser monitors and begins to type on the keyboard. "Computer, access final preparations needed for completion of project this base is currently working on."

The computer beeps in response and brings up the data. Jason reads it quickly and stands up.

"Ok, thank you. That is all I needed. Close window and return to stand-by."

The computer becomes blank again and Jason sighs.

"I wonder when I should get back...I did leave Ann by herself. (He pauses to think and shakes his head) No! What am I thinking? What do I care if that girl is disappointed?" Jason leans on a railing overlooking an underground river, an area where reconstruction had not yet been completed.

"I thought I would have learned my lesson long ago from Crystal..."

Jason's eyes widen and he quickly covers his mouth. "Oh great! I said the 'C' word! (Groans) 3...2...1..."

The main screen immediately comes to life. The image of a beautiful girl with semi-long, dark blue hair, dark blue eyes, and ice blue lipstick over her soft, white skin graces the screen. She wears a 1700's style French general's uniform, and on her back is a quiver with arrows. The screen only shows from the top of the chest and up of her gorgeous figure.

Jason sighs and turns his body to face the woman on the monitor, gives a weak smile, and says, "Crystal...what a surprise..."

Crystal perks up her smile and waves. "HI JASON!"

Jason shudders at her voice. Though most would find it cute, Jason has grown to compare it to nails on a chalkboard.

Crystal goes on, "I just wanted to talk to you SOOOOOOOO much! I think I can fix my schedule so we can go out on a date. How does my homeworld of Corellia at 8 o'clock tomorrow sound? We could spend the night dancing, or-you know, whatever!"

Jason just grimaces under his hat. "Crystal, I don't want to go on a date with you."

"Ok, we can just stay home and (gives a devious look) do whatever..."

Jason gets frustrated and resumes talking, "Crystal, you don't get it do you? Look, just leave me alone."

"Oh, you're busy? I'll call back later then! Then we can make some plans for our wedding and..."

"NO! Ehem, no. (looks down, his eyes shaded by his hat. His voice becomes angered.) Crystal, I don't want you calling me constantly. You broke up with me a long time ago. I trusted you and you just all of a sudden left me for some one else! You broke it to me like it was 'no big deal!' And nowadays you act like it never happened! I don't love you anymore, got it? You are an annoying airhead who is like a curse on me. You can't defend yourself in a spacebattle, you can't even pilot your mech well! Also, I-"

Jason is cut by the sound of someone starting to cry. He looks up and sees Crystal trying to hold back her tears. She begins to move her mouth, forming words.

"I-I, didn't know that you hated me so much...I mean, no wonder you always tell me to leave the battle...and I guess I am useless, but I only joined the Corellian military to be closer to you, but I see I was wrong..."

Jason sighs as he realizes how harsh he was on her. "Oh, I'm sorry Crystal. It's just it hurt me so much when you broke my heart, even if it was years ago. But I do still care for you, a lot. That is why I tell you to leave during a battle. I don't want you to get hurt. You are pretty good at piloting and fighting, and I'm sorry I called you an airhead."

Crystal immediately perks up again, closing her eyes as she smiles. "Jason, you're such a nice person. A little mean when you want to be, but deep down you have a heart. I guess that is why people think of you the way they do, and I am one of the fortunate to get to know you well."

"Well- Thanks Crystal. You are a very sweet person yourself. I'm glad you're happy." Crystal's smile grows a tad sly "Heh heh, but don't think I won't keep trying Jason 0007! See you 'round!"

Crystal blows a kiss to Jason and turns off her monitor. Jason can only stand there and smile, trying to figure her out.

"Strange girl..."

Suddenly the klaxons blare and red lights flash.

"What?" Jason looks at a monitor. "Someone has infiltrated the Fortress..."

Jason is beyond furious. Who would dare challenge a Galactic Special Forces installation, especially one with him in it? Jason calms himself, and gives the computer some commands.

"Computer, locate break point and the best video we have of the intruder."

The computer beeps in response, and shows video of Ann (not in her human disguise, but her regular self) blasting a few coyotebot guards with her force wave attack. She notices something, goes over to the wall, breaks a glass window holding a rifle in it, and then moves onto the next room causing more destruction.

"Hmmmm, she's good. Pink hair, pale green skin color, and straight, pointed ears definitely prove she is not human, and her armor is that of the planet Avalon's military. She has avoided or obliterated the other cameras and auto-guns. Computer, bring up stats on the stolen weapon."

The computer gives another confirmation noise and brings up a screen with the stolen weapon.

Computer: "Mark 18 buster rifle prototype. Capabilities: Single level 2 green plasma shot (semi-automatic function,) ability to charge for level 3 blue shot. Four charge 'rounds' of level 5 condensed plasma. Shock absorbers to reduce recoil. Has light-weight metal frame to make easier for carrying."

Jason just grits his teeth and mumbles to himself, "She could take out this base with that thing...(louder) Computer, where is the Avalonian's current location?"

The computer beeps, and brings up the data. Jason looks at the screen only to have his attention diverted by the power shutting down. The backup lights activate and the red warning lights remain flashing.

"So she's at the main generator...(talks into his watch communicator) All forces, report to the main generator room immediately! Take caution, enemy is alone but extremely dangerous, carrying an advanced prototype plasma rifle!"

-

"And that should take care of the lights, cameras, and the auto-gun action. This rifle sure does the trick." says Ann after blasting the generator and its controls to pieces. She had gotten this far thanks to the element of surprise and some brute strength, along with some strategy here and there. However finding the generator room was a stroke of luck.

"But now the whole base knows I'm here. Better get out of here fast." She laughs a bit. "Hey, all those videogames paid off..."

Ann uses one of her shock wave attacks to knock down a wall. Just as she is about to leave, the doors around the room burst with coyotebots opening fire. Ann fires another shock wave at her attackers for cover and runs before the dust settles.

Ann hears a distant singing voice as she silently runs down a hallway. The singing stops as she reaches a dimly lit room with computer terminals, which are still operational.

"This place must have a separate power supply..." She takes a few steps forward, when suddenly the iron doors behind her slide shut and lock.

"What the?!" exclaims an alerted Annie. She is greeted by a squawky voice.

"Heh heh, so you've managed to get this far into Snow Fortress Echo." The lights in the room remain dim, leaving Ann unable to see whom the voice was coming from. Chill drops from the ceiling. "I am Chill Penguin, head Reformed Maverick of this base. If you want to go any further, you'll have to get past me." And with a mighty squawk and a cool pose, Chill is ready to fight.

Ann just charges her Buster rifle. "Prepare to sing your swan song-WHOA!"

Ann's sentence is cut short by a flying, jagged ball of ice that misses her by a hair, which she avoided by a quick ducking action. Ann gets up again, looking quite angry.

"OK, THAT'S IT YOU OVER-GROWN BIRD BRAIN!" yells Ann, firing a level 3 blue plasma shot from her rifle at Chill, who jumps to avoid. Chill lands and jumps again, trying to crush Ann. Ann rolls out of the way, gets on her feet, and shoots while strafing to the side of the room. Chill takes a hit, which knocks him back.

He merely stands up again and laughs.

"Poor girl, you'll need alot more to take down this Reploid!"

Ann responds with a, "Yeah right!" and dashes toward him. She was expecting him to jump again, so she would dive under him and pelt him with some shots. Unfortunately, Chill had a different plan for this tactic. Chill opens his mouth and lets loose a modified ice breath attack, fueled by the nitrogen tanks fixed to his back. The blast freezes Ann in her tracks. Chill squawks his annoying laughter and begins to dance.

"I am the almighty Icy Penguigo! I can't be beaten! Hahaha!" After a few moments, Chill stops his dance and focuses on his prey. He smirks, and then opens his mouth and spits his ice ball, or 'Shotgun Ice' attack at the Anncicle. Ann can't even move her face to respond to the pain of the impacting ice.

"Oh crap! Please, not like this! I'm going to be killed by some hyper penguin that spits ice!" says the trapped Ann mentally. Chill continues his relentless assault, laughing between shots. He is very much enjoying this; he'll get a reward for killing the intruder for sure.

"Grrrr, I am NOT GOING OUT LIKE THIS!" yells Ann frantically in her mind. She then fires a shock wave attack from her hand, trying to shatter the ice. She fires again- still no luck.

"Awww, little green girl trying to break free? Ha! I think not! Say your prayers!" squawks Chill, who immediately begins shooting again.

Ann then concentrates hard, the image of that cackling jerk enjoying her pain fueling her anger, and fires one more shock wave, this time successfully breaking her frozen prison.

Ann immediately jumps to her side, avoiding another Shotgun Ice, and switches to one of the level 5 shots, blasting Chill Penguin at close range. Chill cries and falls to his knees in pain. Ann stands tall, and aims her buster rifle at the Icy Penguigo.

"Awww, did I hurt the wittle penguin?" mocks Ann. Ann smirks like Chill, and readies another shot. Ann delays, savoring the turn of the tables.

Chill, wisely using the extra time to recover and think of a plan, jumps up and grabs a ring on the ceiling, completely taking Ann by surprise. Chill uses his weight to pull down on the lever, which causes a huge gust of icy Arctic wind to blast into the room. Ann is thrown back into the wall, hitting it hard. She shakes her head to try to take the blow in stride, but the room feels as if it's spinning.

Ann looks around room, which is now brightly lit and making a low humming sound. Through her dizzy eyes she saw what caused the sudden gust of wind.

"It's a weather controlling satellite! Chill Penguin must've been working on it before I came in here!" thought Ann to herself. Her face now showed determination. "Well, I better not let him put that thing to any more good use..."

Chill doesn't hesitate to let her finish recuperating. He dives onto his belly and slides across the room at high speeds, straight for Ann.

Ann, now feeling better, looks around the room for her enemy. She sees the body of Chill coming at her low and fast. She jumps over the sliding Chill, and fires at him. Chill bounces off the wall, leaving a large dent in it. The shots hit Chill, but are deflected due to the temporary shield increase of his sliding technique. Chill hops to his feet and smiles. Ann decided to give the level 5 blast another go and fires at the perilous penguin. Chill dives to the ground and tries the sliding attack again. Ann's shot hits Chill with a bright flash, which forces Ann to shield her eyes. However, she relied too heavily on her shot and Chill still came at her as if nothing happened, hitting her leg and driving her to the ground.

"AH! My leg! " shouts Ann in pain. Her leg wasn't broken, but bruised and cut open. She looks on her antagonist with eyes of hatred. "You'll pay for this!"

Ann raises her buster rifle and charges her weapon, but Chill uses another one of his sinister tricks. He opens his beak and lets loose another ice breath attack. Only this time it begins to solidify into ice, and in seconds two ice sculptures in his image form. Chill laughs behind his frozen ice shields. Ann fires the blue shot, which hits the sculpture head on. Ann groans as the sound of laughter from Chill is left unbroken.

"You're pathetic! Prepare to meet your end!" Squawks Chill proudly. Chill jumps up and grabs onto the ring on the ceiling again, causing another gust of Arctic wind to rush into the room. The wind pushes the ice penguin sculptures and Ann towards the wall with its gale force power.

Ann knows if she doesn't act fast, she would surely be crushed. Chill lands as the winds push his victim to her death. He began to laugh again, celebrating his victory. He holds his laughter and says, "Now, let the Emperor of the Snow Fields place you in the dreamless sleep. Heh heh heh, rest in your icy grave..."

However, Ann saw otherwise. Anna switches to another one of the level 5 supershots. She hits the wall, and fires directly at the statues. She smiles as she watches the plasma melt the ice instantly.

"Yes! But I still have Chill to...handle...?" says Ann, who trails off. The shot had blasted through the ice penguin statues and accomplished a very fortunate turn of events. Her blast had also hit Chill Penguin, who was off guard from his celebrating. It had eaten through his chest, exposing his delicate circuitry. You see, reploids are like humans, only made of different materials. Like humans, they have 'organs,' vital to their function...and now, you could just about see all of Chill's.

"Major...circuitry damaged...fusion generator hit...I'm dying..." Chill whispers his self-diagnostic, coughing up reploid blood. He was weakening by the second. The last thing he saw was the shape of Ann walking toward him. Then, he shut down completely.

"Never underestimate the power of a lady." says Ann, tauntingly.

-

Jason paces back and forth with cape flowing in his auxiliary-lighted control room, wondering how well his forces were handling the threat. As he paces, a pair of Coyotebot guards stand and think to themselves on the situation as well.

"They should have finished the Avalonian off already, Commander. Perhaps it would be wise for you to see for yourself the extent of the damage." suggests one of the Coyotebots standing guard by the door. The low metallic growl in its voice rang a tad louder than it should in the almost empty control room.

"You may be right, soldier. I have a habit of underestimating others, and I best not risk the lives of our Coyotebot brethren." replies Jason. Jason goes to the door and opens it manually. Since the power is down, the door systems are off-line. He walks down the hall, pulling out a red scouter and putting it on. He keeps it on scan just in case of any unwanted surprises. Then he hears a rumbling, along with a nearby wall behind him exploding. He turns his head to look back, and sees a girl flying out of the hole firing the Mark 18 rifle behind her. The girl flies past him, barely acknowledging his existence. She just zooms down the hall, firing back to slow down any pursuers. Jason looks at this as a taunt, batting away a shot that was coming his way.

"The hunt is on." Jason then hovers over the ground slightly while energy gathers around him. He then rockets in the direction Ann went.

-

Jason switches to his jetpack (which is only two inches in width, one foot in height and 3 feet in wingspan from tip to tip. It retracts into a very thin and compact space so it looks and feels as if it isn't there thanks to advanced technology. It is controlled by the wearer's mind, and looks like airplane wings with the boosters on the wing tips.) to save his own power. He didn't see where the girl went, so he has to check the rooms as he passes. To do this, he briefly stops in front of each room and checks his scouter. Every time he checks he finds nothing. He had already flown far past the others chasing the Avalonian, so he was on his own.

"(Mocking) Where are you, Avalonian? I only want to properly welcome my guest! Come out and we can talk..."

Jason hears a noise and lands. He instinctively draws his lightsaber, its blood-red beam coming to life. He then decides that it wouldn't be necessary for such a weapon now, so he places it back in its holster and takes out his rapid-fire blaster. Jason checks the area with his scouter and laughs his deep, sinister laugh.

"Heh heh heh, a positive reading. She's hiding in the docking bay."

-

Ann hid behind a crate, looking back occasionally, hoping she had lost her attackers. Satisfied she wouldn't be discovered, she sits back against the crate and takes a deep breath. Looking down, she sees her bandage made from the torn part of her leg wear had become soaked with blood, but did its job in keeping it from making a trail of red to follow. She tugs at it to readjust it to a secure position.

"I didn't think that this place had so many guards. That, or they're the same ones over and over How the heck am I supposed to get outta here? Oh well, I hope I can keep this up till I find an exit...Hmmm, I wonder who that guy in the black cape was, and what did he call me? Avalonian? This is confusing...Grrrrrrrr, come on Ann! Keep focused! I stumble upon this place and one mess up can be bad news!"

Ann shuts her trap as she hears footsteps. She looks back from behind the crate and sees a dark figure with a flowing cape walking towards her. Ann sets her rifle to the level 5 plasma shots and jumps from behind her hiding place, aiming her gun at the figure.

"Freeze! I don't know who you are, but don't come any closer!" shouts Ann to the person in the shadows. She is answered by a dark laughter.

"So, you are the cause of all this commotion. Do you not know where you are? This is a Galactic Special Forces base. I am the Supreme Commander of the GSF; my given name is Jason." says Jason, putting his blaster into its holster and concealing most of himself in the shadows.

"I don't care who you are! If you take another step, I will fire!" shouts Ann. Suddenly her gun is taken from her hands by a metallic tentacle, resembling that of the invention of Dr. Oto Octavius, or 'Dr. Octopus' from the comic series Spider-man. It makes a terrifying slithering sound, as a snake would make. The arm brings the gun into Jason's hands.

"What the heck?!" shrieks Ann, who is both shocked and scared about losing her weapon.

Jason chuckles again. "Oh these, (brings all four metal octopus arms out which find their base at the jetpack) they are an invention of mine. Quite handy, really. They increase the strength of the user two-fold, and can also become 50 caliber anti-aircraft machine guns or rocket launchers with seemingly limitless ammo, thanks to advances in my military's teleportation technology. I use them mainly to intimidate my opponents, but they are a good tool in battle."

"I guess you could call them handy,' huh? Heh heh" Says Ann, letting out a bit of grim humor.

Jason aims the tips of the octopus tentacles at Ann, activating the machine guns in the arms.

Ann gasps as the guns target her. Without warning, the two bottom ones immediately wrap around her body, squeezing the air out of it. The other two keep her head in sight. Ann tries to scream, but the lack or air prevents her doing so. She looks at Jason, whose chuckle turns into a maniacal laughter.

Ann only sheds a tear at her helplessness, and thinks to herself. "James...I'm so sorry..."

Then Jason's scouter beeps and a transmission comes in.

Coyotebot over com: "Sir, update on damage report. Chill Penguin and the satellite have been destroyed. We have not yet found the Avalonain intruder."

Jason stood in shock. She took out Chill? She shut down his weather satellite operation? Jason couldn't believe this. This lone girl did all that?!

Jason's rage grows, being expressed in a slowly raising growl. Then suddenly, he stops. Jason drops Ann to the ground. He retracts his octopus arms into the jetpack and walks over to her.

Ann didn't know what to do. She saw him coming closer, but was too weak to do anything. She closes her eyes and sheds another tear, preparing for the worse.

She is surprised to feel a hand wiping the tear off her face.

"What?" thinks Ann, not knowing of what was happening.

Jason's tone of voice changes, to one of compassion. "You'll be ok. I see your leg is wounded. Here take this." Jason pulls out something from a compartment in his belt, and hands her a green lima bean.

Ann takes it in her hands, but still has a confused look. Jason laughs, but not one of evil.

"Eat it, it will restore your health. It is called a senzu bean. They are very difficult to grow, but they are good to have in a fix."

Ann feels relaxed by Jason's presence, and eats the senzu. For some reason she felt safe, as if she could trust him even if he had an anti-aircraft machine gun aimed at her head a few moments ago. Instantly her strength is restored, surprising her further. Nothing seemed to make sense.

Jason helps Ann up. She still can't get a good look at him; the room is too dark.

"W-why are you helping me?" Asks Ann, still bewildered by his behavior.

"Because, you impress me. You evaded my Coyotebot forces. You, an Avalonain, beat Chill Penguin AND destroyed my satellite. You deserve something for your accomplishments."

Ann is surprised. "What? Don't you want to destroy the intruder? I mean, I finished off one of your higher ranking soldiers, and your satellite! And-"

Jason chuckles at her, cutting her sentence.

"You know, I don't even know your name. Oh well, we best not get aquatinted. I'm letting you go now, but next time things may be different."

"You're letting me go?"

"Yes. I'll handle everything."

Jason talks into his watch communicator. "This is Jason. Enemy spotted at north end. All units report there immediately! (To Ann) We are on the south end. Just make your way down the mountain as quickly as you can." Jason presses a button on his watch and the hanger door opens.

Ann begins to walk, not letting this opportunity pass. She turns her head back and smiles.

"Thank you. Just in case you do need to know my name, you can call me Avoline – after what you keep calling me."

"Remember, next time I will not be so lenient."

Ann simply nods and flies out. Jason stands there and watches the door close.

"My emotions conflict with my reason. My mind said I should have destroyed her, but my heart told me to let her go...am I doing the right thing? (begins to walk back to the corridors) When will I see you again?"

-

Back at the cave entrance, the students gather with flashlights and climbing gear. Miss Haruna walks quickly, waiting for the students to get ready.

Miss Haruna speaks to herself. "Oh, how could I let this happen! I am so irresponsible!" She is startled by James tapping her shoulder.

"AHHHH! Oh, it's you! Where have you been?! I was going to send the rest out for a search party to find you and Ann! Luckily she just reported to me a few minutes ago, and now you're here." says Miss H.

"I'm terrible sorry-wait, Ann was missing too?"

"Yes, but she returned. Now we can go. (to the rest of the students) All right, everyone to the buses!"

James sees Ann pass by, who also heard the conversation between he and miss H. They make eye contact, and they think the same question.

"Could she...?" asks James.

"Could he...?" wondered Ann.

Both of them shake their heads, and figure it as a coincidence. At least, they want it to be...