WHEEE!!! No more beatings from Faylinn. BE HAPPY! ^_^ So, here is the next chapter, and I hope you all find it HIGHLY amusing!
Oh, and it's REALLY LOOOONG! I hope you have some time to read this. It's the longest chapter yet. ^_^ YAY! Oh, and all the guardians will be coming up very shortly. Most in the next time your characters are in the story. Or they will at least be mentioned, such as this one.
And Reise is in France with Zuzu's group which consists of Zuzu, Reise, Badguy, Malia, Rinoa, Irvine, Angelo, and Squall.
One more note for later. . . ' ' around something is the person's thoughts. ^_~
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February 23, 2100 (might be for awhile)
The President Morgan informed them of the current situation with Aerick. He had been spotted in town frequently as of late. Particularly at a little club.
"What club?" Sypher asked. Morgan handed him a slip of paper and he nodded, handing it to Jen. "That's our man for sure."
"You might find these useful as well. Pictures of the victims we're sure were his." He handed them another folder. Jen didn't want to look at it yet. "Is there anything else you're going to need?" He asked them, leaning against his desk, arms crossed.
"Extended diplomatic immunity." Morgan stood up straight.
"Ms. Hynes, rarely do we grant such a request. Extended diplomatic immunity is a bit much."
"Sir, I don't think you fully comprehend the danger Aerick is. With him, every second counts. I want the seven of us to be able to get where we need to in the time we have without having to worry about getting stopped for speeding. I don't want to be thrown in jail for killing men and women who are proven to work for Aerick. I don't want to be detained for questioning when every second in detainment means another innocent life. I cannot have that. I assure you, we will not purposely break the laws for the joy of it. If at all possible we won't break any. But I need your assurances now, to save the trouble later." Morgan sighed and pulled out a sheet of paper and started to write on it. When finished he handed it to Jennifer.
"There. Just don't make me regret this. And if the press finds out-"
"The press isn't to know we're even here."
"Even better. Anything else?"
"No." Jennifer said, turning.
"Oh, and Sypher, may I have a word with you for a moment?" Sypher nodded as the others left, shutting the doors behind them.
After a few moments Sypher left the room grinning from ear to ear. "What's that about?" Jen asked, confused. Sypher just smiled even more.
"Oh I'm sure you'll see soon. Just some extra business I had with the president." Jen raised her eyebrow and shook her head.
"Alright people. Let's move out."
Another hour later the group was on their way to the club. Jen had pulled her screen down and was having a conference with Lisa's car as they drove. "Alright. Aerick's been sighted numerous times at a strip-club these past few days. Three-"
"Jen?"
Jen looked over at Severine and sighed. "Yes?"
"Um. . . what exactly is a strip-club?"
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
Jen looked at her, one eyebrow up while the others stared blankly, unmoving. "You're kidding me, right?" Severine shook her head innocently.
"No. Why would I do that?"
"Damn spoiled, pampered rich kid. Doesn't even know what. . ." Sypher trailed off from the hurt look in Severine's eyes. She quickly recovered and smiled brightly.
"Well, I had to help dad run his business and all, so I never got to go anywhere really." She shrugged.
"A strip-club is where women, or men, take their clothes off in front of other for money." Jen said simply. Severine's eyes went wide.
"Who would do such a thing!"
"People who are desperate."
Soon they arrived at the club. The plan was to go in there, scope out Aerick, lure him away, and then get rid of him as quickly as possible. However, when they got there they realized this would be impossible.
At the door of the club they were stopped by a large, strong looking man. "Looks just like Barrett." Cid muttered looking up at the large black man.
"No weapons allowed."
"We're here to see Mr. Oxford. It's a business matter." The man looked down at the tiny Jen and the other and nodded.
"You the ones from the NA? The ones President Morgan said he'd send?"
"Who wants to know" Lisa countered.
"I'm Oxford. Come this way." He said quietly, and motioned for another man to take his place. He led the group through a back hallway and into a small office. They crowded in, a bit suspicious. "He's been coming here for the past week. At first I didn't care. Money's money and he's got a lot of it. Pay's the girls well. But three days ago a few of them turned up dead. After he had chosen them for a little private show." Severine swallowed loudly. "Look, I just don't want any trouble. I don't want any more of my girls to get hurt. I got a business to run."
"You realize if in the off chance we fail, you'll have to get away."
"Yes, but you won't fail, right? I mean, you're the experts." Jen grinned a little.
"Yes, but what happens if we can't get him away from here, and it has to go down in the club?"
"What you saying?"
"Mr. Oxford, do you have insurance?" Jen leaned forward on the desk as he thought about this. A sly smile broke out over his face.
"A respectable man would not answer such a question." He winked. "If you need to, so be it. The loss of the club will be a devastation to myself, but I shall move on." He said a bit dramatically, now realizing what she had said.
"And if Aerick gets away, I hope you are prepared to move on. Because you're going to be the first one he comes after."
"I realize this. It is the Archon Circle we're dealing with. So how do you intend to go about this?"
"Do you have a private room?"
"Yes. With a small stage meant for a small party or private shows."
"Good. Does it have rafters?"
"Yes. Metal."
"Good. I can climb up there and take him out that way."
"Uh, Jen, what about the rest of us." Sypher asked impatiently. Jen shook her head.
"What are you going to do? Go up and hit him with your stick?" Sypher clenched his fists. "Which girls do you think he'll pick tonight?" Jen asked, turning from him.
"Them." Oxford said, pointing at Lisa and Severine. Lisa lost all composure in her face, her eyes going wide, mouth dropping.
"WHAT?!" She yelled. "Uh uh! There is NO WAY I'm doing that." She folded her arms across her chest and turned away.
"Well, neither am I." Severine said, pointing to herself. "I have self respect."
"Well I'm not putting my girls in anymore danger. Besides, can you sing?"
"If I must." Lisa frowned. "I know how to."
"As do I, but what are you suggesting?"
"Aerick has a certain affinity to girls with lovely signing voices. Often they sing for him. Strange, but hey, whatever the man wishes I deliver."
"So you're saying we would only have to SING for him?"
"Exactly. I know Ms. Hynes here would take him out before you would have to do anything else." Everyone turned expectantly to Jen.
"Hey, don't look at me. This is their decision." She held her hands up and pointed to the other girls. They sighed and looked at each other.
"Should we do it?"
"It is for the safety of mankind."
"We'll do it. But we want a raise." Lisa said, hanging her head. Jen nodded.
"I'll make sure you get it."
"Great, now that that's settled, if you'll just follow me, I'll get your lovely costumes and the song you'll sing."
"Costumes?" Lisa muttered, utterly humiliated. She tossed a glance over to Vincent who looked straight ahead. "This day could not get any worse."
A few minutes later an outraged cry was heard from the back of the club. Lisa sobbed. "I'M NOT DEGRADING MYSELF FOR THAT LOW-LIFE KILLER!" She said, throwing herself at Jen, highly uncharacteristic of her. "Please don't make me do it! Take my spot. I'll kill him."
"I would if you knew how to shoot a gun."
"I can learn."
"Accurately." Lisa stood up straight and glanced down at herself, utterly humiliated. She was wearing a ridiculously short skirt with a top that was barely there to begin with. She managed to keep the bandana in her hair to hide her ears.
"Jen," she whispered, "I don't want Vincent to see me like this."
"Lisa, it's alright. He's not going to think any less of you. If he thinks anything different it'll probably be respect for what you're doing to help the world. Think of it that way." Lisa sighed and turned to Severine who was visibly upset as well.
"I don't like this. I don't want to look like this."
"Sev, it's just for a few minutes, I swear. And then it'll be all over."
"You promise?"
"I swear on my life. You will not be on that stage for more than five minutes." Severine sighed as they listened to the song they were supposedly going to have to sing.
"And I don't like this song. I don't want to be bad and I don't want to break any rules!" She wailed. Jen hugged her tightly.
"Get a grip girl. It's just a song. Now memorize it while I go talk to those boys about their manners."
Jen stepped out of the room and faced the four guys, who turned at her approach. "They are highly distressed at having to do this. I do not want ANY wisecracks from any of you." Jen frowned, looking at Sypher specifically. He looked around.
"What? I'm not going to do that."
"Whatever. You better not." She said, reaching down to fix her pants while just happening to brush against the E-3. The door behind her opened and the girls came out, head down. Vincent found himself looking away, not wanting to make Lisa uncomfortable.
"You guys ready?" Jen asked, they nodded, Lisa looking forlornly at her sword in the other room. "It'll be over soon."
"This way Ms. Hynes." Oxford said, motioning for her to follow him. She turned to do so.
"Hey Jen?" She looked over her shoulder at Sypher.
"What is it now?"
"Uh, don't you think you could use a good-luck kiss?" He flashed her a grin. Jen smiled slyly.
"Why that's a good idea, Sypher." She said, and started walking towards him. He froze, face going red as Severine giggled. As she approached him she pushed past and looked straight at Zell, who suddenly seemed nervous. Jen smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss. Behind her Sypher's face paled instantly while he stood blinking. Severine gasped, as did Lisa, her eyes huge in her head. They stood staring while Jen pressed her lips against Zell's. She stayed that way for a moment before pulling away, blushing slightly. Oxford had turned away by that point and chuckled merrily. Sypher's hands fell to his side as Jen brushed past him once again, grinning. Severine and Lisa stared after her.
"I. . . you . . . WHAT?!" Sypher yelled and dove for Zell. There was a burst of heat and Ifrit stood in front of him, blocking his way.
"Leave him alone Sypher." Sypher frowned and tried to get past the tall fire demon, who roughly grabbed him. The second his hand wrapped around Sypher's forearm there was a burst of cold to counter the heat and Shiva stood behind Sypher.
"And just WHAT do you think you're doing to him?"
"Learn to control your human Shiva. His emotions are turbulent and unpredictable." She laughed.
"Speak for your own human!"
"He better not harm Zell or I'll have to take matters into my own hands."
"You'll do no such thing." Severine had a worried look over her face for a second as she turned away. Lisa looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
"It's Sleiphnir. He wants to come help." She frowned as she concentrated on keeping her Guardian out of the fight. Lisa sighed.
"At least Neo has the sense to not get involved with any of this." Severine nodded as the strain faded from her face. The two arguing Guardians disappeared leaving a confused looking Zell, Cid and Vincent staring where they had been, and an angry looking Sypher.
"Can you hear me Sypher?" Sypher's cell phone beeped. He nodded, adjusting his headset to talk.
"It works alright?"
"Obviously, I'm using it." Sypher had previously handed her a headset to use so they could stay in contact throughout the entire thing.
"Oh, and nice touch having Ifrit show up." He spat.
"Thought you'd like that. Shit! Here he comes." The other line went silent as Jen slowly pulled her rifle off her back from her laying position and aimed it at the chair in the center of the room.
The door to the room opened and Aerick was led in by Oxford, who bowed to him several times. From the back where they could see the others rolled their eyes. The man that followed Oxford was tall, probably Sypher's height from where they were sitting. He had tanned looking skin and dark hair, and was dressed in an expensive suit. Sypher started to growl in the back of his throat. Almost instinctively Jen's soothing voice came over his headset.
"Sypher stay calm. Let me get him and we can have a little chat with out friend afterwards." He took a deep breath and leaned his head against the cool wall. "Who the fuck is that?" Jen asked, confused. Sypher turned and looked. A man, his entire body covered had appeared to stand at Aerick's side. He wore a hat low on his face to cover his features. Sypher frowned. "Looks like our boy's got a bodyguard now." Oxford stepped back to where they were and motioned for Severine and Lisa. They sighed and followed him.
"Don't be nervous. It'll be over soon." He led them out and smiled at Aerick.
"I'd like to present you with our newest girls. Beautiful with equally beautiful voices." He bowed once more and left the stage area while the lights went down and shined onto the girls. Severine's stomach was in knots while Lisa zoned out of her situation and tried to place herself elsewhere.
'I am not here. I am in a beautiful field with Vincent and it is sunny.'
'I'm going to die up here. I hate this.' The music came on and Lisa flashed a phony smiled. Jen aimed her rifle and looked down the barrel to the back of Aerick's head. He slid down in the chair and crossed on leg over the other, hands behind his head.
Lisa stepped forward and started to sing. "Do you, understand what I need, need from you? Just let me be the girl to show you, you. Everything that you can be is everything that I can need. . ." She danced her way around while Severine followed with her own moves. Jen stifled a small laugh from her position.
'If I had my sword right now I could run it through him no problem.' From backstage Sypher, Zell, Vincent and Cid couldn't help but stare.
"Um, are they sure this is their first time doing this?" Cid asked, eyebrow raised.
"This is horribly disturbing. I cannot watch this." Vincent turned away, embarrassed for both the girls.
Severine stepped forward as Lisa moved back and she took up the next lines. "I wanna be bad! You make bad look so good. I've got things on my mind, I never thought I would. I- I wanna be bad, you make that feel so good, I'm losing all my cool. I'm about to break the rules. I, I wanna be bad." Aerick grinned as Severine stepped down towards him. 'Oh I'm close enough to wipe that stupid grin off his face.' She could barely contain the hiss that was threatening to escape. She walked around him, brushing the other man out of the way as she reached out to touch his shoulder. 'I'm going to be sick.'
Jen watched and raised her eye from the gun for a second, her jaw open. 'What the. . .' She looked back down, willing Severine to get out of the way.
"Whassup? Tell me what to do, how to be, teach me, all your rules from A to Z. But I don't want your other girl to see that you mess around with me." She leaned close before backing away and letting Lisa have her chance.
'Just one punch. I wonder if Jen would mind terribly.' "I shoulda thought, tell ya what I got is whatcha want. Tell, tell me do I, I turn ya on? I don't want no one judging me." The two of them backed up and kept dancing.
'This is it.' Jen's heart raced. She sighted him again and put her finger over the trigger. She pulled it back slowly and opened both eyes as the rifle exploded silently. She heard a slight CLANK! And lowered the rifle to look. Aerick turned stunned and looked at his companion questioningly. The girls stopped as the man held up the bullet and then pointed to where Jen was. She froze and ducked back. Lisa and Severine dove off the stage and Aerick stood up, angrily pulling a pistol out of his jacket. He aimed and fired at where Jen was. She heard the gun go off and then immense pain in her left leg. She groaned and pulled it up to her chest, hugging it before rolling over and standing up. The man dropped the bullet, his hat falling off. The jacket he was wearing fell into the ground to reveal a metallic body. A single eye was in the middle of his forehead. "Oh shit." Jen muttered grabbing her revolver's and clicked them back, shooting at Aerick. Every single bullet she shot was grabbed out of the air, except one. It deflected off the android's arm and hit Aerick in the shoulder. He swore and turned as Sypher and the other's jumped out from behind the wall. The android turned to Aerick, and looked at him, expectantly.
"Take care of them. Have fun with my toy Jennifer. See you round, Sypher." He sneered. The android's eye flashed orange and turned back to Jen as Aerick ran out the building. Sypher turned to start running after him but Jen yelled for him to stop.
"DON'T! Just make sure everyone gets out of here!"
"Jen! What about-"
"Just go!" She yelled, and put her hand on the railing, hoping over and falling to the ground. She landed on the leg that had been shot and almost fell over, pain shooting up her spine. "Gahh." She groaned, and aimed her pistols at the thing in front of her. She emptied them but none hit it or came near it without the Android catching them. She frowned and ripped her Rifle off her back and emptied that as well. Nothing seemed to work.
"Jen, everyone's out. Get out of there." Sypher's urgent voice called in her ear. She shook her head and ripped the headset off, throwing it to the ground. She leaned down and grabbed the E-3 while the thing stood in front of her, unflinching.
Aerick ran out the back of the building and skidded to a halt, instantly covering his nose in disgust. He looked around and then down the alley where the smell seemed to be the worst. He peered into the darkness and saw glowing green eyes staring back at him. He frowned and turned to the eyes, slightly unnerved at the sight of them.
"What are you doing here?"
The sound of shuffling was heard as the eyes moved slightly closer, but still concealed by the darkness. "Indulge in your carnal desires if you must, waste of flesh, but do what needs to be done. Time is irrelevant to me. However, YOU do not share that luxury."
"I'm working on it." Aerick hissed, throwing his hand out to the side.
"THEN WORK QUICKLY! Remember that thou hath assumed responsibility for thee and thy kin. Should one of them fail, YOUR head will be the first to roll, and roll it shall." Aerick sighed.
"YOU must have patience. With the NA breathing on our necks we have to watch our steps. Things are going to be more difficult."
"Pathetic excuse. Let them play with your. . . toy. I've been patient long enough. Yes, very, VERY long indeed."
"It would be unwise to underestimate them. They are-"
"Children of no consequence. It should ease your mind that I've arranged for a surprise for the lot of them. The peaces are already in place. All that remains is for them to take the bait and spring the trap."
"Are you so sure this plan of yours will work?"
"Are thou questioning my judgment, knave?" The voice asked coldly.
"No. Never." Aerick said, slightly frightened, but sarcastically at the same time.
"See that you don't." The voice added something in a language unknown to Aerick and he realized the fear he had just felt was gone. The eyes had disappeared, and yet the smell still remained. Aerick covered his mouth and noise again and ran out of the alley to the car waiting around the corner.
Jen frowned and emptied a clip at the android in front of her from the E-3. The bullets exploded and burst into flame, but apparently the thing was impervious to fire. She sighed and realized the room around them was on fire. "Oh shit! This just sucks." The android started walking towards her and she turned to run out of the room. She had to get out of there before the place exploded.
As she was running with her limp out the door the building exploded, lifting her off her feet and throwing her across the street, slamming her against the building. She groaned and slid down, rolling onto her left side, biting back the scream fighting to escape. The android walked slowly out of the building towards her. 'This is it.' She thought. 'I'm so screwed. That thing. . . nothing works against it!' She pushed herself up and tried to standing, putting as little pressure as possible on her left leg. She stood there and put a new clip in the E-3 and pointed it at the thing once more when she heard a rumbling noise coming down the road. Both she and the machine turned, it's eye flashing once more.
A streak of yellow stopped in between them, close to Jen. She looked at the person on the bike and was confused. 'Who the-' The person raised the visors on their yellow helmet, startling blue eyes flashing at her. Instant recognition. She dove at the bike and climbed onto the back, wrapping her arms around Sypher's waist as he took off down the street. The android turned and watched them go. Jen turned and shot at it a few more times, just for good measure.
Once they were a safe distance away Jen turned around and smacked the gun against Sypher's helmet. "What they HELL were you thinking?" She demanded.
"HEY! Watch the helmet. It's new." He frowned, watching where he was going. She grinned.
"You're an idiot. And just where they heck did you get this?"
"It's why I stayed behind to talk to the Pres after." Jen sighed as her phone went off. Keeping one arm around Sypher she reached for it.
"What?"
"Hey girlie. Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing much. How's everything at the base?"
"What you mean, 'nothing much'?"
"Oh nothing major. Nearly got killed a few minutes ago. No big deal."
"WHAT?! YOU HAVING ALL THE FUN?" Zuzu raged over the phone. Jen laughed.
"Oh yeah. Kissed Zell, ran into Aerick, got shot, met Aerick's new bodyguard, blew up a strip-club, fled the scene. Same old, same old."
"Wait, you kissed Zell? I hope not in front of Sypher."
"Oh it was in front of me." Sypher growled, the helmet acting as an amplifier for the phone. Zuzu laughed.
"Shit girl, that's terrible. And all that other shit in less than twenty-four hours? Damn, I shoulda gone with you guys. Where'd you get shot?"
"Left leg."
"It bad?"
"Hurts like a mother."
"Well take care. We've almost pinpointed Matt. Oh great. If it isn't Brenton. Look, I gotta go calm this shit down. Badguy's gonna kick his ass."
"Alright. Take care." Jen said, shutting the phone just as she heard Brenton's aggravated voice on the other end.
"Let's get back to the others. Have Severine take a look at that leg of yours. But why didn't you call Ifrit?"
"No time." The two of them rode on heading towards where they other's were waiting.
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Back at the base. Same day.
"WHERE ARE THEY!" Brenton raged, storming into the room. Badguy spun in his chair and looked up lazily.
"Well if it isn't Brenton." He frowned. "And what brings you here?"
"You fucking ass. Where they hell is everyone?"
"Out."
"What do you mean out?"
"They went shopping."
"With the plane, and half the cars?" Badguy shrugged and took a drag from his cigarette. Brenton's face twitched.
"And put that shit out. No smoking in here." Badguy stood up and walked over to him, blowing the smoke in his face. Reise laughed from his seat.
"Now now, boys." Zuzu said, snapping her phone shut.
"Where did they go?" Brenton demanded of her. She shrugged.
"Honestly, they didn't tell us. They just said to watch the base."
"Lying bitch." Zuzu's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Come again?"
"I said-"
"The girl speaks the truth." A tall woman stood behind Badguy. Brenton looked up, intimidated. Squall, Rinoa and Irvine looked up at the new Guardian.
"What?"
"I said, she speaks the truth. She does not lie, and you know I have to reason to lie either. We do not know where they went." She stared down at the man, her eyes narrow and nose slightly upturned. Brenton frowned and turned, storming out of the room.
"Thanks Valkyrie." Badguy said, returning to his seat.
"Why did you lie for us? Isn't there something against that in your code?" Zuzu asked. Valkyrie shrugged.
"I do not trust that man. Something is wrong with him. He is not what he seems." She turned to Badguy and bowed before disappearing again with a slight swish of chain-mail.
The door slammed open once more at the moment and they all turned to face the newcomer. Arlington ran in excitedly. "I've got him." He thrust the papers at Zuzu who grabbed them eagerly. Rinoa walked over with Irvine and Squall.
"Well, ladies and gentleman, its go time!" She jumped up and ran out of the room, the others following close behind.
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Okay. . . damn. This was RIDICULOUSLY long. Sorry! . But just as a note, the next chapters are going to be just as long or around there. Next chapter will start of with Zuzu's and then end with a slight appearance from another, then the chapter after that will start with the last one from the next and so one. Hope you enjoyed it! Now I have to go sleep and get rid of this damn flu! ::cough cough cough::
Oh, and the song was I Wanna Be Bad by Willa Ford. Why I chose it? No idea. It was one the radio the other day and I was like. . . ooohh. ^_^
And one more thing. Two parts of the story were done by someone else. Where Jen is explaining the strip-club to Severine, Keily came up with that, and the whole Aerick talking to the eyes thing was by BAX. ^_^ Have a great weekend everyone. It's -5 degrees here. I'm cold. And sore. Night night! ^_^