::sighing wearily:: Okay. . . Faylinn is beating the crap out of me right now. BAX, I know you share my pain, but today she's being particularly viscious. She does NOT want to write about the others getting to their destinations but I know I HAVE to. And it's going to be two per chapter too! Unless there are three left, and then I'll shove the last in there. So ::sigh:: here we go. . . And Faylinn- LEAVE MY TOOTH ALONE!!! OWW!!!
Oh, and it's been a few years since I've taken Spanish, so if it's not all right. . . forgive me. ::glares at her beta reader:: Please not criticism on it. I don't claim to be fluent in any of these languages (with the exception of English of course! ^_^)
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February 23, 2100
Eric stepped out of the office he had been in and shook hands with the President. "Gracias señor Mendoza."
"De nada, señor presidente." Eric walked away from the man with keys in his hand. His group looked at him.
"Well?" Lynn asked expectantly, standing next to the taller Amarent. Eric looked at her and started to walk away when Lynn grabbed him and jerked him around. "I asked you a question, damnit Eric! We're your partners now, so you have to get over this 'I work alone,' issue you have." He frowned at her.
"Eric, she's right." Michael said, coming to Lynn's defense. "When it comes down to it, you can have him, but until then, you have to let us help. You can't win if he has people working for him."
"So what happened in there?" Aeris asked, her fist unconsciously clenching at her side.
"This key is to where we'll be staying." He said quietly and started to leave the room. Spike frowned and put a comforting hand on Aeris' arm, who looked ready to kill Eric.
"WHAT HAPPENED IN THERE!" She demanded. Eric spun around and regarded her coolly.
"We just would like to know what sort of information you learned." Nanaki requested calmly. Eric looked down at him and tossed them a piece of paper that was in his hand.
"There." He muttered and left. They all sighed and followed him out of the room, taking their time reading it.
"So he does have someone close working for him." Michael commented. "A woman? She must just be a toy for him." He said and passed it to Lynn who showed it to Amarent and Nanaki.
"Her name's Genocide?" Lynn snorted. "Just wait till Genocide meets Revenge." She laughed merrily, Amarent slightly amused by her antics. For being such a young fighter she hadn't lost any of her youthful spirit.
"Sounds dangerous." He muttered.
"Sounds like the two would go hand in hand." Spike grinned as they caught up to Eric. They all kept walking until they were out of the presidential residence and climbed into their cars or on their bikes. Eric took off first and sped through the city till he reached the outskirts of the town. Stopping he checked behind him to see the others pulling up to the small building.
"This is it?" Aeris finally asked, her face showing obvious disgust.
"Yes." He said and took the key and went in. The outside of the building was practically falling apart. "My brother would never attack the poorest looking places. He's a shallow man."
"Wait, your brother?" Amarent asked. Eric eyed him coolly and nodded.
"Yes. He will not attack a place where he feels he will not gain anything. This is the safest place. President Alvarez is being moved tomorrow, to a slum sector. He'll be quiet safe there, despite what most people think." Eric took a deep breath, his voice already hoarse from so much use. Aeris couldn't help but grin at that.
As they all crowded into the building they realize the outside was just a sham. Inside it was well furnished with chandeliers, posh carpets on the stairs, and silver almost everywhere. Someone whistled as they beheld the splendor of the elegant room.
"Apparently someone forgot to notify Señor Presidente and inform him of our living habits." Spike grinned. "This place is going to end up trashed. I can see it now."
"Let's try to keep it neat, guys." Lynn sighed, rolling her eyes.
"So is there anymore information on this Genocide?" Michael asked. "I'd like to know her fighting techniques before we meet her in battle."
"Computer." Eric said, and pointed to another room. They followed his finger to the next room where a computer sat on a desk. They all walked in and found it on with a message waiting for them on the screen.
"Aquí está la información que hemos reunido en Daniel Mendoza y la mujer Genocide." They paused at the foreign words and looked at Eric.
"I can't figure all that out. I only know a few words." Lynn admitted.
"I don't understand it at all." Nanaki confessed.
"It says, 'Here is the information that we have collected on Daniel Mendoza and the woman Genocide." Eric cleared his throat again and crossed his arms.
"Great. Let me guess, it's going to be all in Spanish." Spike sighed and clicked the folder open. "Or not." He grinned. It seemed someone was kinda enough to translate a majority of the text for them, but the person who set up the computer didn't bother. They all leaned around the computer and started to look at the pictures and text flashing across the screen.
"That girl. . . "Michael started, "looks so familiar." He frowned and shook his head and kept watching.
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(still) February 23, 2100
Oren and his group walked the long path up to Windsor Castle. They had arrived at their destination, and once inside, all they had to do was wait for an audience with the Queen and Prime Minister. The castle was enormous and over a thousand years old. A gorgeous piece of architecture. As they walked up the steps they were met by guards who eyed them curiously.
"We're here to meet with the Queen and Prime Minister." Oren said smoothly. They looked at him and the others and nodded to someone hidden nearby.
"Just a moment." They nodded and waited, taking in the beauty of the grounds. The grass was a thick green carpet unspotted as far as the eye could see. Trees were dark green and were spotted about the grounds. Bushes and floral beds were not flowering at that time but they were just as beautiful. Another guard approached them.
"You are Oren Murasaki from the NA?"
"Yes sir. And these are my companions." He motioned to the others who nodded silently.
"Before I can allow you into the castle I must take necessary precautions, you see. The Queen is merely being cautious, as is her right."
"What does she wish of us?"
"She says you can summon a blade on your arm. If you can show this to me I will be able to admit you to the Queen."
Oren nodded and stepped back, silently pleased that the Queen was taking such precautions. No one could be trusted anymore. He paused a moment before focusing his energy towards his arm. After a few seconds a long blade appeared on his arm, a clear blue color. The guard stepped back farther, muttering under his breath and Oren released the energy concentration and it disappeared.
"Alright. If you'll just follow me." He said, shouldering his small sword. They followed him into the building.
All around them was nothing but splendor. Paintings covered almost every ceiling and covered all the walls. Gilded chairs were set about the rooms with tables. China, sculptures, and other decorations dotted this room. As they walked down the hall, ancient suits of armor stood at attention, holding battle axes, swords and lances. They were led into another room where they stopped.
"This is the Queen's Audience Chamber. Presently she is in council and will meet with you when she is through. You will wait here and then be led to the Queen's Presence Chamber." The guard bowed to them deeply and then left the room, shutting them in. They looked around again, amazed by the sheer splendor of the place. More paintings lined the walls and a masterpiece called the ceiling it's home. There were chairs, but they themselves looked so elegant the group dare not sit in it.
"This place is. . . amazing." Tifa whispered, staring at the ceiling. Oren nodded.
"Everything in this building is old as well. It was built well over one thousand years ago and restored many times. The Royal family spares no expense to keep it fully furnished in the traditional style." Cloud stared at he how elaborate everything was, feeling a bit uncomfortable with it. Alessa and Ryu looked almost bored and knelt on the ground, feeling the soft silken rug under their feet.
"Seems almost a shame to be walking on this." Alessa mentioned. Ryu snorted.
"I think it's ludicrous that someone spends this much money to furnish a building."
"Most of it was has been collected for centuries." Alessa reminded the girl, who merely shrugged in return. The door opened on the opposite wall.
"Oren Murasaki?" A different guard motioned for him to come, and he did, the others following him. "I'm sorry, but the Queen and Prime Minister wish only to speak with Mr. Murasaki." The others frowned and held back as Oren waved to them and entered the other Chambers. At once he saw the Queen sitting on a highbacked throne and walked briskly up to her before dropping to his knees and bowing his head. She held her hand out to him and he took it, pressing it to his forehead briefly.
"Your highness." The middle-aged woman smiled and pulled her hand away, prompting him to rise. Oren turned to the man sitting on a chair in the corner and bowed to him. "Prime Minister Graham."
"Oren, so good of you to come so quickly." Oren turned to the Queen and bowed his head once more. "Oh enough of this formal nonsense! Sit! We have so much to discuss." He bowed his head once more, prompting a laugh from her before sitting in the chair closest to her. Graham rose from his seat and wandered over to them, leaning against the throne.
"Queen Elizabeth-"
"Please. That's my coronation name. It's Aubrianna." Oren sighed.
"Lady Aubrianna, I have come to aid your country against the Archon Circle. I have brought four other's with me. If you would be so kind as to disclose the information you now, we have be on our way."
"Of course. You will have complete access to all the information we have collected since this war started. Is there anything else you require?" Oren thought.
"Just the grace of your royal majesty." Aubrianna smiled.
"Well then, you have my graces young man. When this war is over, and the Archon Circle is disposed of, I shall have to Knight all of the NA."
"That's most gracious of you, Lady Aubrianna. But it's not necessary." He rose and approached her once more.
Outside still waiting in the other room the lazed around until Oren walked through the door with the Queen and Prime Minister. The second she walked through the door Alessa and Ryu dropped to their knees, Tifa and Cloud mimicking their actions.
"Oh stop that nonsense. Rise." She said and motioned for them to follow her.
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February 23, 2100
Bennett stormed into the room, throwing his hands in the air. "Lex did say I could kill them, correct?" Badguy turned from the article he was reading and nodded.
"I believe she did." Bennett smiled with a look of gratitude on his face and pulled the small pistol out of his holster, throwing the door open as he left.
"GET BACK HERE YOU LAZY FUCKS!" The door slammed behind him. Zuzu turned to Badguy and grinned.
"Think he'll do it?"
"Nah." Badguy said just as a scream was heard and a loud pop resounded. They froze and turned towards the door as it opened again, Mal looking down the hall.
"What's gotten into him?"
"No sex?" Badguy joked.
"Sanders over here reminded him Lex said he could kill the cadets while they were gone."
"Oh." She nodded and sat down.
"Did he really get one?"
"Nah. Just scared them. So what's the new status with our friend?"
"Still haven't found him, but Arl's still working on it. Said he'd let us know right away. Mal nodded to Reise who sat in the corner of the room eyeing Mal and Zuzu who were trying to hide their glances at Irvine. Once in awhile the two would lean together and Zuzu would whisper something to Mal, who would just nod in response. Rinoa sat on the floor, her back leaned against the wall, cradling a calm Angelo while Squall stood over her.
"You know, it's so quiet here. I hope everyone gets their jobs done quickly and comes back. Kinda miss the bastards." Badguy said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, inhaling the smoke, eyes shut.
Mal waved the smoke out of her face and nodded. "Almost boring without someone yelling at Sypher."
"Stupid shit." Zuzu commented dismissing him. "Him and his damn Guardian. Fucking think they better than Atlantica."
"Whoa girl. Down. I don't want to deal with any Guardian's right now." Badguy said, putting the article down. Rinoa perked up.
"What's a Guardian?" A sound of water dripping suddenly echoed in the rooms while Badguy sighed.
"Shit Zuzu. Now you're going to find out." He put his head on the table and covered his ears as a woman appeared next to Zuzu. Rinoa, Squall and Irvine looked at her while Angelo barked excitedly.
"Someone mention that witch Shiva?" The woman said. She was about Zuzu's height with brown skin and long hair braided down her back. She looked around the room at the new faces and spotted Badguy with his head down. "Well hello sugah." She winked at him and he groaned.
"I'm not listening to you!"
"You sure are a shy thing. But I know you flirt with all the ladies when I'm not around." She touched his back and slid it down. He yelped and stood up.
"BAD TOUCH! BAD ATLANTICA!" Zuzu laughed hysterically while the other's watched amused.
"It's alright for Azumi to flirt with you, but not little ole' me?"
"You're a Guardian. You guys have a code about this, remember?" Atlantica waved her hand and spotted Irvine.
"Why hello. And who is this sweet thing?"
"Name's Irvine ma'am." He took her hand and kissed it, somewhat surprised at the wet and cool feel of it.
"Don't Irvine. You have NO idea what you're getting yourself into." Badguy warned. Atlantica smiled at him and then to Zuzu.
'This the other one?' She asked silently. Zuzu nodded, grinning. 'Fine choice.'
"What are you?" Rinoa asked, still amazed.
"You haven't heard of me?" Rinoa and the other's shook her head while Badguy groaned. Mal was amused. "I am Atlantica! Queen of the oceans! Goddess of water!" She flung her hands in the air and a spray of water surrounded her dramatically. They were still amazed. Atlantica smiled, having had the effect she wanted. "Well, I'm off then if Shiva isn't around." She waved as her body turned blue and translucent and then burst with a spray of water that didn't get anything wet.
"Someone tell me what that was?" Squall asked.
"Guardians. Many people have them. They're kinda like out protectors." Zuzu said. "They aid us in battle. Cheer us up when we're alone. Help us out-"
"Fight with each other, wreak utter havoc on our lives." Badguy said. Zuzu smiled.
"Not my fault she took such a liking to you."
"Uh, both of your emotions are connected, need I remind you." He said, putting out his cigarette and pulling out another one.
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Well I hope you all enjoyed that. Some serious action in the next chapter to appease you and Faylinn (and myself) ^_^. Hope Atlantica was alright NGE!!! ^_^. Well I'm off to write more. Maybe I'll have another chapter posted tomorrow? Who knows. ^_~