----- Chapter 20 : Don't Fear the Reaper ------
It had taken much careful consideration in choosing the next step to take. Sue was pretty sure that she could not defeat Ash in his present form. She like to be confident in her abilities, but from the information Sarunakai had given Ash had become a killing machine. So she would need one too.
Her search for a champion led her to the Guild Virtual Reality training rooms. Here Hunters could put themselves through their paces with opponents, real or imaginary, from Coral's past. The one she sought, a HUcast called Kireek, frequented these rooms. Indeed he seemed to only be found in one of three places: his recharge chamber, the VR rooms or on Ragol's surface.
She pressed the 'Call' button on a panel mounted beside the door. She felt somewhat guilty about potentially disturbing his training session, but every passing day meant Ash became less human. She had to wait three whole Beats before the door slid smoothly open allowing her entry.
She stepped into the chamber, it was set-up to emulate a temple of some sort. The yellow stone pillars lit up by an evening sun. In the centre of this formation of pillars stood Kireek, perfectly still with his back towards her and his sinister scythe held by an outstretched arm as if posing.
It was not until she neared him that he faced her, arms folded across his chest he waited for her to speak.
"I'm... sorry for interrupting your training, but I need you to do something."
Kireek gave no indication that he was listening but simply stared at her.
"I need you to go down to the Ruins and capture Ash. I'm hoping we can save him."
"Why not make a request through the Guild?"
"I'm in enough trouble as it is. I need this to be hush-hush."
"This human has already killed six Hunters. One an android and these are just the ones that are confirmed. Perhaps you think I am expendable?"
Sue was caught off-guard by his question. "No no, I just think you are probably the best suited for this job."
She handed him a data-disc.
"This is all I've managed to collect about him."
"Did you know that humans created androids to fight their wars for them? When they turned on their masters they created genetically engineered versions of themselves, the Newmen, to fight their wars for them."
"But that was over a thousand years ago." Sue replied.
"An age for you, yesterday for me. Tell me, when your kind turns on them, what will they create?"
Sue opened her mouth as if to speak but could not think of a reply.
"I might find it ironic that you, a Newman, would ask me, an android, to kill a human. But I am not programmed for irony."
"I don't want you to kill him, just capture him."
"Very well. I accept your request."
Several centiBeats of silence passed before Sue realised that Kireek was done with the conversation. She hurried out, feeling it necessary to be far away from him but could not explain why.
Kireek waited till the doors sealed themselves behind the departing Sue before he spoke again.
"It will be my pleasure."
It had taken much careful consideration in choosing the next step to take. Sue was pretty sure that she could not defeat Ash in his present form. She like to be confident in her abilities, but from the information Sarunakai had given Ash had become a killing machine. So she would need one too.
Her search for a champion led her to the Guild Virtual Reality training rooms. Here Hunters could put themselves through their paces with opponents, real or imaginary, from Coral's past. The one she sought, a HUcast called Kireek, frequented these rooms. Indeed he seemed to only be found in one of three places: his recharge chamber, the VR rooms or on Ragol's surface.
She pressed the 'Call' button on a panel mounted beside the door. She felt somewhat guilty about potentially disturbing his training session, but every passing day meant Ash became less human. She had to wait three whole Beats before the door slid smoothly open allowing her entry.
She stepped into the chamber, it was set-up to emulate a temple of some sort. The yellow stone pillars lit up by an evening sun. In the centre of this formation of pillars stood Kireek, perfectly still with his back towards her and his sinister scythe held by an outstretched arm as if posing.
It was not until she neared him that he faced her, arms folded across his chest he waited for her to speak.
"I'm... sorry for interrupting your training, but I need you to do something."
Kireek gave no indication that he was listening but simply stared at her.
"I need you to go down to the Ruins and capture Ash. I'm hoping we can save him."
"Why not make a request through the Guild?"
"I'm in enough trouble as it is. I need this to be hush-hush."
"This human has already killed six Hunters. One an android and these are just the ones that are confirmed. Perhaps you think I am expendable?"
Sue was caught off-guard by his question. "No no, I just think you are probably the best suited for this job."
She handed him a data-disc.
"This is all I've managed to collect about him."
"Did you know that humans created androids to fight their wars for them? When they turned on their masters they created genetically engineered versions of themselves, the Newmen, to fight their wars for them."
"But that was over a thousand years ago." Sue replied.
"An age for you, yesterday for me. Tell me, when your kind turns on them, what will they create?"
Sue opened her mouth as if to speak but could not think of a reply.
"I might find it ironic that you, a Newman, would ask me, an android, to kill a human. But I am not programmed for irony."
"I don't want you to kill him, just capture him."
"Very well. I accept your request."
Several centiBeats of silence passed before Sue realised that Kireek was done with the conversation. She hurried out, feeling it necessary to be far away from him but could not explain why.
Kireek waited till the doors sealed themselves behind the departing Sue before he spoke again.
"It will be my pleasure."