The Next Generation 12

Magicman: Hello all of my (possibly) loyal fans! I notice you're raving for the next chapter, so here it is! First I'd like to address a few issues. First of all, I meant for Sabrina to have long black hair down to her waist (thank you Stelmarta for pointing that out). Second: Zempress, Yukari and Setto have been trained in Guymelef use, but they don't actually have one of their own. Generally, they just pilot an Alseides. Third: all right then. Aya Eliya, will you please update your fic? *Gets puppy dog eyes* PLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE? Finally: thank you General Veers for pointing that out. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!



Solek. The capital of Basram.

Once a peaceful city, Solek had fallen to the harsh code of the military tyrant. Outwardly the same, the populace could tell the differences as easily as a doctor could identify a man with a missing limb. Soldiers in silver armour stood at every corner, bullying and swaggering before the ordinary citizens. Sorcerers, who had never been tolerated in Basram before the Destiny War, strode through the streets with impunity, taking what they wanted. The news criers said what the authorities wanted them to. Young men were drafted into the ever-growing army and air force. People went missing, no trace of them ever turning up.

But still, the people were happy and content. Increased trade was flooding into the country. Wages went up. Basramians in general felt that they were finally getting the attention and respect they deserved. A defeat in the war, followed by a crippling war debt humiliated the nation and had nearly begun a civil war.

The most obvious sign of this great change, even for an outsider, was General Veers' flagship, the Destiny, hovering over Solek like a great black dragon.

Made of thick tempered steel and leva stones, the mighty leva-cruiser was the most advanced ship in the navy. As big as a Zaibach floating fortress, or even bigger, the warship resembled a torpedo with a pair of elongated wings jutting from the side. Any idiot could tell that the Destiny was mighty. But only a selected few knew that the Destiny held two prisoners.

***

Hitomi woke up with her head pounding in rhythm with her stomach. Groaning in misery, she reached to her head to touch the bump there, only to realise that she was chained to the wall. This woke her up more.

Shaking her head, Hitomi tried to recall what had happened. She and Dilandau had been on their way to Palas to tell Millerna about this new war, when they were ambushed. They'd destroyed a couple 'melefs, but they had been overwhelmed. She had been knocked out. But Dilandau.

Alarmed, Hitomi looked around desperately for any sign of her husband. She spotted him on her right side. Like his wife, Dilandau was chained hand and foot to the wall. A long cut gashed across his forehead, trickling blood into his eyes. Hitomi hoped he wouldn't have a scar. Dilandau hated scars.

Looking around the room, Hitomi discovered that they were in a fairly large, windowless cell with a thick, barred door. In one corner was a toilet. In another were two cots. The only light was what little drifted through the bars of the door.

"Obviously this place hasn't been made for the comfort of its occupants" Hitomi said wryly.

Dilandau groaned, but didn't wake up. Hitomi focussed, and a thin beam of light shot from her forehead. It struck Dilandau in his right eye, making him curse. "Turn that thing off!" he growled hoarsely.

Hitomi stopped the light, and Dilandau sighed. "That's better." He said, opening his eyes. Looking around, he came to the same conclusion as Hitomi. "Either I'm still asleep, or we're in some sort of prison."

Hitomi nodded. "Are you alright? That cut looks nasty."

Dilandau blinked a few times then nodded slowly. "I've had worse. Once I was shot by an arrow that missed my heart by an inch!"

"I've heard the story before, Dilandau" Hitomi sighed. "You pushed the arrow through your back, pulled it out, and sliced the guy who shot you in half."

Dilandau grinned. "I should start coming up with some more stories to tell." He looked about. "This seems like a pretty good way to start. Any ideas?"

"Well, I could always try my pendant. It would take us out of here, no questions asked. But I can't do anything with my hands tied!"

Dilandau stared at Hitomi's chest. 'If he starts sweet talking me while we're still chained up in the prison of who-knows-where, he's got another thing coming.'

"Um Hitomi. You're not wearing your pendant."

"What?" Startled, Hitomi looked down at her chest where her pendant usually dangled. Sure enough, it was missing. "Fuck! I knew it was too easy!"

"Alright, this isn't as bad as it seems." Dilanadau tried to rationally break down their predicament. "All we have to do is escape these chains, break out of this room, find a way out of wherever we are, contact the Slayers, and get them to pick us up. Crap!" Dilandau abandoned rationality and started swearing. "Goddamn piece of shit! Where the fucking hell ARE we?! Who locked us in this godforsaken hellhole?! Whoever it was, I'll make them suffer! They'll beg me for death! And I'll give it to them! Oh yes! The fire will ever so slowly creep up their bodies, crackling their skin and melting their eyes to charcoal, until their screams die out, and all that is left is a pile of ashes, still smouldering from the heat!" Dilandau began to cackle insanely. Hitomi sighed.

"Have I ever told you that you need help?"

Dilandau shut up and smiled sweetly. "Isn't that what made you fall in love with me?"

Hitomi laughed. "I'll admit, it made things interesting!"

The two laughed together. It banished the darkness some, and restored hope. 'We'll get out of here' Hitomi thought confidently. 'I'm not sure how, but we will get out.'

The sound of a key in a lock stopped the laughter. Hitomi and Dilandau exchanged glances and watched the door expectantly.

The wooden door opened slowly. Two armoured men walked in. They had armour carved to look like scales, and wore helmets made to look like the head of a snake. Each held his sword as if looking for an excuse to use it.

They stood on either side of the door and awaited the coming of.someone.

That someone entered.

A man ducked his head to step into the prison cell he was so tall. He was at least as tall as Folken. The man had a firm face with a hard, square jaw. His hair was an iron grey, and it had a long streak of white slashed through it. But it was the man's eyes that drew the eye. A deep blue, they shone with determination, glittered with dangerous intelligence, and held the unwavering belief that the path they had chosen was right.

He wore a grey uniform. On the shoulders were the insignia of a general, and his left breast held the badge of nobility. The man stood in silence for a moment. His gloved hands clasped together, he regarded the prisoners with a fierce intensity. Finally he nodded.

"Good afternoon". The man's voice was strong, yet controlled. "You are Dilandau and Hitomi Albatou, leaders of the Dragonslayers, are you not?"

Dilandau's eyes narrowed. "I'd prefer knowing who you are, where we are, and what we are doing here before I start talking."

The man smiled politely. "Of course. Please forgive my rudeness. My name is Krannek Veers, General of the Basramian army. And you are aboard my flagship, the Destiny."

"An interesting name".

"Thank you. And as to why you are here, we will discuss that momentarily. But seeing as I told you my name, would you be good enough to tell me yours?"

Dilandau hesitated, but Hitomi answered quickly enough. "You were right. I'm Hitomi, and he's Dilandau."

Veers bowed before the chained couple. "May I say that it is an honour to meet you? I have heard many tales of the exploits of the Dragonslayers. And even more tales are told about the lady Hitomi."

Despite herself, Hitomi turned slightly pink, and Dilandau scowled. Seeing this, Veers raised a hand. "You have no need to fear a rival within me, Mr. Albatou. I believe the sanctity of marriage prevents man from taking another's wife, and that sort of thing. My wife died three years ago, and I refuse to look at another woman in that sense."

Dilandau didn't look the slightest bit reassured. Hitomi shot him a 'Calm down and let me do the talking' look. "That is a very noble sentiment, General." She said, turning to Veers. "But do your men share your belief?"

Here, Veers smiled, albeit slightly unpleasantly. "My men know better than violate my wishes."

Hitomi nodded slowly. "So what would you have of us?"

"My dear-"

"Please. Call me Hitomi."

"Alright then Hitomi. I have brought you and your husband here to discuss a business proposition. One that could prove beneficial for all parties".

Hitomi looked at her chains pointedly. "Is that why we're tied to the wall?"

"I'm afraid there was a slight altercation with your being brought here." The General's voice was repentant. "The officer who ordered the troops to request your presence was under the impression that you were hostile, and to be brought in under lock and key. That officer has paid the price for his idiocy. If you like, I can have you released from your chains right now."

"That would be much appreciated."

Veers nodded to one of his men. The man pulled a key from his belt and stepped forward to unlock their chains. In a short time, Hitomi was standing in front of the General, rubbing her wrists, and Dilandau was by her side.

"I trust that you are feeling better?" Hitomi nodded. "You trust right."

Veers smiled politely. "Good. Then now is the time for business."

"As I said before, I have heard a great deal about the two of you. I understand that you are strong soldiers and good leaders of men who fought in the Destiny war. But I have also heard rumours about you in particular, Hitomi."

Hitomi smiled slightly. "Well, you can't always believe rumours."

"Very true. These ones, however, come from a reliable source. I was visiting Asturia three years ago, shortly after the death of my wife. While there, I chanced to come upon a merchant by the name of Dryden Fassa."

"Ah yes. How is Dryden these days?"

Veers shrugged slightly. "He was well when I saw him. Since then, I have no idea. But it was what he said that interested me. He mentioned that he happened to know you personally. When asked to elaborate, he went on to tell me about your story. I was most intrigued by what he described as 'psychic powers'."

A light clicked on in Hitomi's mind. So THAT'S what this was about.

Veers continued. "This was intriguing, but no particular reason to drag you from your home just to talk about it." Hitomi smiled wryly and Dilandau growled. "But just one week ago, that changed".

"Oh? Do tell."

"One of my sorcerers delivered a prophecy to me. It mentioned 'those with sight'." Now Veers was watching her reactions carefully, and Hitomi was struck by how intelligent this man was. He told her that long tale to get her to relax, then sprung the prophecy on her so as to catch her with her guard down. "And, as you have no doubt heard, you have a certain reputation for seeing into the future."

"What exactly does this have to do with us?" Dilandau spoke up.

"I'm getting there. You should be more patient."

Hitomi laughed. "Believe me. For Dilandau, this is patient!"

Veers smiled. "Very well then. We shall get to the point of the matter. I suppose you have met my associate Kasar?" He waited for nods. "Then he has conveyed my proposal to you. But perhaps he did not word it well. What I am asking, is for your assistance. My country is on the verge of its destiny. Soon it will throw off the old hierarchy and enter a new age of power and wealth. We shall be the most powerful nation on Gaea!" The general's voice was filled with pride.

Then his voice turned regretful. "But not all see this. Many powerful and influential people are working against my country and I. I am attempting to solve these problems through diplomacy, but it may not be successful. That is where you and your men would come in. I would have you be the silent partners of these diplomatic proceedings. Your presence would likely intimidate them enough to talk a deal. Afterward, you would be well rewarded for your efforts and continued service."

'Geez, this guy sounds like Hitler!' Hitomi thought. The memory of her trip into Kasar's mind told her all she needed to know. General Veers seemed to be trying to imitate the Nazi warlord. 'Well, far be it from me to help this nut ball!' Aloud, she said, "I'm sorry Mr. Veers, but I must respectfully decline your offer."

Veers frowned slightly. "Are you sure this decision is wise? This is for the good of my people."

Hitomi's eyes narrowed. "Oh yes" she said, her tone thick with sarcasm. "I'm sure that invasion and conquest is all for the good of your people!"

"Contrary to what you have heard of me, I am not a tyrant. I do not enjoy war, but I do recognise that some things require it!"

Hitomi's eye was twitching. "And what things require war General?" She laughed scornfully. "You talk on and on about wanting to make peace and 'help' your country. But what you're doing is leading Gaea into another war. And you don't care, because deep down you're just another ambitious maniac!"

Veers's eyes were flashing with barely concealed hate and fury. When he spoke his voice was rough with anger. "I assure you Mrs. Albatou, I am perfectly sane!"

"Oh?" Hitomi challenged. "Then why are you planning a war of conquest? Just for kicks?"

Veers' hand shot out and grabbed Hitomi's throat. Squeezing tightly, he lifted her off the ground. The guards jumped Dilandau and started beating on him before he could attack Veers. The General brought his face close to Hitomi's. "I am not crazy!" he hissed. "I am a war leader. I am a patriot. And now I am ANGRY!" His grip tightened. "I will give you time in here to think about my proposal. Just decide soon."

Hitomi was gasping for breath. Desperately, she kicked Veers in the leg, forcing him to drop her. She hit the floor, desperately inhaling. She barely caught Veers' snarled command to leave, and barely heard his boots stalk from the room.

Dilandau dragged himself by Hitomi's side. His face was bloody and bruised, but his eyes were filled with worried concern. "Hitomi! Oh my God, Hitomi! Are you alright?"

Coughing, Hitomi nodded. "I'm.fine." She gasped. "How about.you?"

"A few bruises. I'll be fine." Dilandau gathered his wife in his arms and held her gently. "Don't ever do that again. He would have killed you without a second thought!"

Hitomi shook her head weakly. "No. He wants us to join him still. He won't kill us."

"No, but if lays a finger on you I'll rip his balls off!" Dilandau was fuming. He stroked his wife's soft brown hair.

Hitomi struggled to stay awake, but being oxygen deprived made her feel exhausted. Dilandau saw this and smiled. "Go to sleep babe. I'll watch over you." Eventually, Hitomi gave into his insistence. She buried her head into Dilandau's chest and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Dilandau stayed awake, holding his wife gently. "Don't worry babe." He said softly. "We'll get out of here. And everything will be okay."





A/N: I thought this was about due for more tenderness. So you see? Hitomi and Dilandau are still alive! Don't forget to review. A fanfic writer (I can't remember who) said that she worked much better with reviews.

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