Chapter 16
The Way to Technology
**********************
The group had exited the desert a few miles away as they started approaching the Green Border. The
only set back for them was only when bounty hunters kept coming back to capture Vash but all failed
at that attempt. The Green Border was a large, fort-like border made out of metal and with walls stretching
out to the mountains and continuing on from there. A couple of guards stood in front or behind the walls
conversing or just keeping guard. The guards were dressed in black, metallic armor wearing dark goggles
and carrying large assualt rifles.
As the group approached the border, one of the guards took a look at them and suddenly saluted
to them and said, "Sir Ray, are you leaving to the other side?"
Ray looked up getting out of thought and replied, "Huh? Yes we are. Is it safe to cross?"
The soldier nodded. "We also have beds made and some supplies for you." he said.
"We'll accept your rations," said Ray, "but sleep will be of no use. We have a tight schedule
to follow."
"Understood." said the soldier. "I shall gather your supplies then."
The soldier ran off into a large tower sitting next to the main border. Fox examined the scenery
as they waited for the soldier's return. 'Where's all the green?" thought Fox in curiosity.
The same soldier returned with a small crate, set it down, and opened it. Within it were items
such as antitoxins to instant foods. Everyone gathered what they wanted as they looked within the parcel.
"Our gratitude goes with you." acknowledged Martin as he collected some tonic.
"We will proceed now," said Ray to the soldier, "thank you for sharing your supplies with us."
The soldier nodded and went on to his business.
Ray lead the way to the jailed doorway leading into the other country, Miltia. The guards quickly
opened the gates and signaled the others to go. Ray went across and entered the neighboring country. The
others followed Ray and the door behind them closed. "No turning back," said Vash looking back at
the door.
***************************
They walked the green fields of Miltia still on the way to New Jerusalem. The sky almost orchestrated
with small clouds, showed no signs of rain any time soon. However, Ray looked troubled. Fox noticed
this and went caught up with him. "Ray?" Fox asked catching Ray's ears. "What's wrong?"
Ray was still looking around with the same troubled face. "I could have sworn New Jerusalem was
around here." he replied. "Unless I took a wrong turn, but I believe I took the right path."
Suddenly, the shots of Vash's gun sounded off starling everyone. Fox turned and saw what was
happening. There were five griffin's with black fur on their horse parts and gray feathers on their
wings and bird-like heads. Their talons snapping as two floated in the air. Their tails were within the
ground being dragged from beneath.
They were Geist. One of the griffons in the air landed to the ground as one of Vash's bullets struck
its hind talon. Its eyes glowed in anger at Vash and squaked at its fellow partners. "Damn!" cursed Vash.
"Griffenders. Just my luck!"
Ray drew his sword out just as Fox had his in his hand. Wolf drew his spear out and prepared for
combat. "We all should focus on a single Griffender at one time." ordered Ray. "Going solo on one
won't be pretty. Let's take the ones in the air first!"
Ray pointed at one of the Griffendors in the air to their right. "Martin, go with Cloud and Bill
ahead and find New Jerusalem. HURRY!"
Martin obeyed and ran with Cloud and Bill ahead. "Be careful Fox!" yelled Bill as he ran.
Fox grinned at the order and continued his stance.
The group ran up to the target Griffendor and was waiting for Ray's orders. "Vash, distract it
by shooting and purposely missing," ordered Ray. "Wolf, hit its talons and when I tell you to, hit
it as much as you can. Fox and I will try and stop it from moving. We'll do this with the next one!"
Vash ran up to the Geist and started waving his hands in the air yelling, "YO! OVER HERE YOU
STUPID GEIST!"
This imediately caught the griffon's attention and it squaked angrily at Vash. Vash drew out
the Light Pistol and started to shoot in the air barely hitting the Griffender. Ray came up behind
the beast as Fox went in front of it. Hesitant, the griffin roared in anger and floated a little high
showing off its talons. Wolf came with the spear and suddenly leaped from the ground onto the griffon's
back.
The Geist struggled to remove Wolf from its back, but nothing worked. "Don't worry," Wolf said
in a malicious tone. "I'll help you to calm down a little!"
Wolf poked his spear within the griffin's left hind leg. As a puddle of black blood was starting
to form, the Griffender roared in pain as the spear pierced its leg. Wolf withdrew the spear and suddenly
cut through its tail disconnecting it. The Griffender started to fly a little into the air but desintegrated
into black ashes, letting Wolf fall down easily. As soon as he got up, a small, black orb started to float
from the ashes.
The orb twinkled black pixels as it floated in mid-air. Then, a bright light flickered, and the
orb had turned white now. Wolf looked at it with awe as it floated around him relentlessly until it
disappeared within the jewel of his weapon. "Wh...what was that?" asked Wolf.
"WOLF!" yelled Fox. "LOOK OUT!"
Wolf became surprised and saw the flying griffon slash its talons at Wolf sending him a few feet
away. Vash aimed and shot at the Griffender shooting it in the wings, chest, and head. The griffin fell
to the floor and just disappeared into nothingness. Ray ran up to Wolf and looked over him. "Take
care of them!" ordered Ray with some fear in his tone.
"Fox, let me take care of this one." Vash said pointing to a Griffender a few feet in front
of him. "I'll see to this one."
Fox obeyed, but only walking back a few feet from where he was originally and just watched and occasionally,
looked around for the other griffins. Vash shot a few more bullets into the monster trying to weaken
it. Then, Vash muttered some words and his gun ignited with light. Vash jumped into the air, aimed his
gun, and sent a large bolt of lightning at the griffin shocking it over and over until it became
nothing more then ashes. Vash landed on his feet and looked around for more.
Fox heard the roar of a griffin behind him and was ready to attack. He turned and parried the Griffender's
front talon with a spark ignition. The beast jumped back and dug its claws within the earth in anger.
Fox tilted his blade ready for the assualt. The Griffender roared and charged at Fox.
Fox hit the Griffender's side and jumped away from it. Fox landed on the ground felt a small jolt
of pain. He looked at his right shoulder and saw a trickle of blood stain his sleeve. But his injury
wasn't as bad as what he had inflicted on the griffin. The beast was starting to bleed badly, but was
still prepared to fight Fox again.
Fox got up but suddenly recieved a more painful wave come from his arm. He held his shoulder and
saw the beast coming for him. He lifted his right arm as much as he could and swung his blade at the
Griffender's head. He fell to the ground just as the beast withdrew in pain and bled to death. The Griffender
turned into dust and again the black orb transformed into white and flew its way to Fox's sword.
'What are these things?' thought Fox looking at his blade in amazment.
Vash's gunshots shook Fox out of his daydreams as he saw Vash slay the Griffender with ease. As soon
as the griffin desintegrated into black dust, Vash ran over to Ray who was looking over Wolf's injuries. Fox
followed and saw three large scratch marks on his chest starting to bleed. "We have to get to New Jerusalem,
NOW!" said Ray as he lifted Wolf on his shoulder and looked over the grassy hills.
"Wolf will be alright, right?" asked Fox.
"He should be," said Ray as he started runnining to their destination. "But I will have to chew
him out as soon as he wakes up. He disobeyed my orders and insisted he act on his own free will."
Vash and Fox ran with Ray just as midday came.
**********************************************
Evening came upon the remainder of the group as the ran through the large fields of the country trying
to find the city of New Jerusalem. After what seemed to be forever, they saw an outline of a large dome
in the distance. Ray looked up, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Wait. That's Second Miltia!"
Fox looked up and saw the large dome. "But I thought New Jerusalem was the first city we'd get
to." he said.
Ray beared a troubled face. "Something's not right at all," said Ray uncomfortably.
They walked up to the metal bolted gate labeled: 'Entrance 13.' Located to the left of the door
was a small panel with numerical and alphabetical keys. Ray reached out onto the panel and typed something
so fast, Fox couldn't keep his eyes on the movement of his fingers. The panel glowed a green light, a
little chime, and the doors suddenly slid open leading to a small, dark corridor. They entered into the
hallway and walked until the light got more brighter.
Fox looked at Ray, who was only concentrating on getting out of the passage. They finally found a guard
standing in front of another steel door labled: 'Door 45'. The guard wore the same clothing as the soldiers
at the Green Border. He was armed with a sniper rifle and hid his face behind a gas mask. He looked at
the group and came to a salute.
"Well here's our welcoming party," said Vash in sarcasm.
"I have word that you are to pass," said the guard.
Ray nodded. "That's correct." he said. "By any chance, did two anthros and a human come here?"
The guard was in thought for a moment and then said, "Oh yes! The mouse and young husky? They
came here about an hour ago. No worries, they are resting in the dormotories."
"Good work," said Ray. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I will be needing to go inside to meet Ms. Uzuki."
The guard nodded, started for a control panel, and opened the metal door leading them into the inner
area of the dome.
Like a colleseum, the area was enormus. The roof was rising upward in its spherical shape with
a circular glass showing the evening sky. There were almost ten to thirty floors in the entire complex.
Each with either dormotories, shops, or armories. The people living in the dome were all uniformed in
an outfit that had consisted of tan mostly and either blue, red, or green.
The people all seemed very civilized and appropriate to anyone. There were also strange people
wearind outfits with rose red and black colors. They all never seemed to talk or stop for anything. Fox
was amazed at the whole site.
Aside from Martin, Fox had never seen this type of technology in his life. Stories filled the holes
in his imagination, but he had never expected to see such a sight as this. 'Wow, seeing the world and its
wonders wasn't such a bad idea after all.' thought Fox.
Then discomfort attacked him when he thought of Falco. 'I wonder what he's doing right now,' thought Fox.
"We had better find an imfirmary fast." said Ray.
"You haven't been here before?" asked Fox.
"I've been here," started Ray, "but I only remember it when it was a space station. The whole
colony got finished a year ago, so its pretty new. Ah, there we are!"
Ray pointed to a sign with a red cross on it floating over a white door. "You go ahead," said Vash,
"I'll be looking for the others."
"I'll come with you." said Fox to Ray.
Ray nodded and started for the white door.
"Hey Ray," started Fox as they walked, "back when we were fighting those griffin things, what were
those orbs that floated into Wolf's and my weapon?"
"Oh, the Gehirn?" asked Ray. "Those were the spirits of the Geist. Depending on what kind of
weapon you have, determines the karma of your sword."
"But, I killed a soul then!" said Fox frightened.
"No," said Ray. "You meerly set that soul free. It now can go somewhere beside the Underworld. And
because of that, your weapon will start to grow in design and become more stronger when it happens
again."
"Only certain Geist have a Gehirn?"
"Yes. Sometimes the Gehirn will be reborn into another Geist and do the same deeds as before.
But the Gehirn decide what to do. Aparently, more souls only want war then freedom."
Ray looked stopped and looked at Wolf who was still hunched on Ray's shoulder. "Perhaps I should
only give him a warning when he wakes up."
Fox grinned.
The Way to Technology
**********************
The group had exited the desert a few miles away as they started approaching the Green Border. The
only set back for them was only when bounty hunters kept coming back to capture Vash but all failed
at that attempt. The Green Border was a large, fort-like border made out of metal and with walls stretching
out to the mountains and continuing on from there. A couple of guards stood in front or behind the walls
conversing or just keeping guard. The guards were dressed in black, metallic armor wearing dark goggles
and carrying large assualt rifles.
As the group approached the border, one of the guards took a look at them and suddenly saluted
to them and said, "Sir Ray, are you leaving to the other side?"
Ray looked up getting out of thought and replied, "Huh? Yes we are. Is it safe to cross?"
The soldier nodded. "We also have beds made and some supplies for you." he said.
"We'll accept your rations," said Ray, "but sleep will be of no use. We have a tight schedule
to follow."
"Understood." said the soldier. "I shall gather your supplies then."
The soldier ran off into a large tower sitting next to the main border. Fox examined the scenery
as they waited for the soldier's return. 'Where's all the green?" thought Fox in curiosity.
The same soldier returned with a small crate, set it down, and opened it. Within it were items
such as antitoxins to instant foods. Everyone gathered what they wanted as they looked within the parcel.
"Our gratitude goes with you." acknowledged Martin as he collected some tonic.
"We will proceed now," said Ray to the soldier, "thank you for sharing your supplies with us."
The soldier nodded and went on to his business.
Ray lead the way to the jailed doorway leading into the other country, Miltia. The guards quickly
opened the gates and signaled the others to go. Ray went across and entered the neighboring country. The
others followed Ray and the door behind them closed. "No turning back," said Vash looking back at
the door.
***************************
They walked the green fields of Miltia still on the way to New Jerusalem. The sky almost orchestrated
with small clouds, showed no signs of rain any time soon. However, Ray looked troubled. Fox noticed
this and went caught up with him. "Ray?" Fox asked catching Ray's ears. "What's wrong?"
Ray was still looking around with the same troubled face. "I could have sworn New Jerusalem was
around here." he replied. "Unless I took a wrong turn, but I believe I took the right path."
Suddenly, the shots of Vash's gun sounded off starling everyone. Fox turned and saw what was
happening. There were five griffin's with black fur on their horse parts and gray feathers on their
wings and bird-like heads. Their talons snapping as two floated in the air. Their tails were within the
ground being dragged from beneath.
They were Geist. One of the griffons in the air landed to the ground as one of Vash's bullets struck
its hind talon. Its eyes glowed in anger at Vash and squaked at its fellow partners. "Damn!" cursed Vash.
"Griffenders. Just my luck!"
Ray drew his sword out just as Fox had his in his hand. Wolf drew his spear out and prepared for
combat. "We all should focus on a single Griffender at one time." ordered Ray. "Going solo on one
won't be pretty. Let's take the ones in the air first!"
Ray pointed at one of the Griffendors in the air to their right. "Martin, go with Cloud and Bill
ahead and find New Jerusalem. HURRY!"
Martin obeyed and ran with Cloud and Bill ahead. "Be careful Fox!" yelled Bill as he ran.
Fox grinned at the order and continued his stance.
The group ran up to the target Griffendor and was waiting for Ray's orders. "Vash, distract it
by shooting and purposely missing," ordered Ray. "Wolf, hit its talons and when I tell you to, hit
it as much as you can. Fox and I will try and stop it from moving. We'll do this with the next one!"
Vash ran up to the Geist and started waving his hands in the air yelling, "YO! OVER HERE YOU
STUPID GEIST!"
This imediately caught the griffon's attention and it squaked angrily at Vash. Vash drew out
the Light Pistol and started to shoot in the air barely hitting the Griffender. Ray came up behind
the beast as Fox went in front of it. Hesitant, the griffin roared in anger and floated a little high
showing off its talons. Wolf came with the spear and suddenly leaped from the ground onto the griffon's
back.
The Geist struggled to remove Wolf from its back, but nothing worked. "Don't worry," Wolf said
in a malicious tone. "I'll help you to calm down a little!"
Wolf poked his spear within the griffin's left hind leg. As a puddle of black blood was starting
to form, the Griffender roared in pain as the spear pierced its leg. Wolf withdrew the spear and suddenly
cut through its tail disconnecting it. The Griffender started to fly a little into the air but desintegrated
into black ashes, letting Wolf fall down easily. As soon as he got up, a small, black orb started to float
from the ashes.
The orb twinkled black pixels as it floated in mid-air. Then, a bright light flickered, and the
orb had turned white now. Wolf looked at it with awe as it floated around him relentlessly until it
disappeared within the jewel of his weapon. "Wh...what was that?" asked Wolf.
"WOLF!" yelled Fox. "LOOK OUT!"
Wolf became surprised and saw the flying griffon slash its talons at Wolf sending him a few feet
away. Vash aimed and shot at the Griffender shooting it in the wings, chest, and head. The griffin fell
to the floor and just disappeared into nothingness. Ray ran up to Wolf and looked over him. "Take
care of them!" ordered Ray with some fear in his tone.
"Fox, let me take care of this one." Vash said pointing to a Griffender a few feet in front
of him. "I'll see to this one."
Fox obeyed, but only walking back a few feet from where he was originally and just watched and occasionally,
looked around for the other griffins. Vash shot a few more bullets into the monster trying to weaken
it. Then, Vash muttered some words and his gun ignited with light. Vash jumped into the air, aimed his
gun, and sent a large bolt of lightning at the griffin shocking it over and over until it became
nothing more then ashes. Vash landed on his feet and looked around for more.
Fox heard the roar of a griffin behind him and was ready to attack. He turned and parried the Griffender's
front talon with a spark ignition. The beast jumped back and dug its claws within the earth in anger.
Fox tilted his blade ready for the assualt. The Griffender roared and charged at Fox.
Fox hit the Griffender's side and jumped away from it. Fox landed on the ground felt a small jolt
of pain. He looked at his right shoulder and saw a trickle of blood stain his sleeve. But his injury
wasn't as bad as what he had inflicted on the griffin. The beast was starting to bleed badly, but was
still prepared to fight Fox again.
Fox got up but suddenly recieved a more painful wave come from his arm. He held his shoulder and
saw the beast coming for him. He lifted his right arm as much as he could and swung his blade at the
Griffender's head. He fell to the ground just as the beast withdrew in pain and bled to death. The Griffender
turned into dust and again the black orb transformed into white and flew its way to Fox's sword.
'What are these things?' thought Fox looking at his blade in amazment.
Vash's gunshots shook Fox out of his daydreams as he saw Vash slay the Griffender with ease. As soon
as the griffin desintegrated into black dust, Vash ran over to Ray who was looking over Wolf's injuries. Fox
followed and saw three large scratch marks on his chest starting to bleed. "We have to get to New Jerusalem,
NOW!" said Ray as he lifted Wolf on his shoulder and looked over the grassy hills.
"Wolf will be alright, right?" asked Fox.
"He should be," said Ray as he started runnining to their destination. "But I will have to chew
him out as soon as he wakes up. He disobeyed my orders and insisted he act on his own free will."
Vash and Fox ran with Ray just as midday came.
**********************************************
Evening came upon the remainder of the group as the ran through the large fields of the country trying
to find the city of New Jerusalem. After what seemed to be forever, they saw an outline of a large dome
in the distance. Ray looked up, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Wait. That's Second Miltia!"
Fox looked up and saw the large dome. "But I thought New Jerusalem was the first city we'd get
to." he said.
Ray beared a troubled face. "Something's not right at all," said Ray uncomfortably.
They walked up to the metal bolted gate labeled: 'Entrance 13.' Located to the left of the door
was a small panel with numerical and alphabetical keys. Ray reached out onto the panel and typed something
so fast, Fox couldn't keep his eyes on the movement of his fingers. The panel glowed a green light, a
little chime, and the doors suddenly slid open leading to a small, dark corridor. They entered into the
hallway and walked until the light got more brighter.
Fox looked at Ray, who was only concentrating on getting out of the passage. They finally found a guard
standing in front of another steel door labled: 'Door 45'. The guard wore the same clothing as the soldiers
at the Green Border. He was armed with a sniper rifle and hid his face behind a gas mask. He looked at
the group and came to a salute.
"Well here's our welcoming party," said Vash in sarcasm.
"I have word that you are to pass," said the guard.
Ray nodded. "That's correct." he said. "By any chance, did two anthros and a human come here?"
The guard was in thought for a moment and then said, "Oh yes! The mouse and young husky? They
came here about an hour ago. No worries, they are resting in the dormotories."
"Good work," said Ray. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I will be needing to go inside to meet Ms. Uzuki."
The guard nodded, started for a control panel, and opened the metal door leading them into the inner
area of the dome.
Like a colleseum, the area was enormus. The roof was rising upward in its spherical shape with
a circular glass showing the evening sky. There were almost ten to thirty floors in the entire complex.
Each with either dormotories, shops, or armories. The people living in the dome were all uniformed in
an outfit that had consisted of tan mostly and either blue, red, or green.
The people all seemed very civilized and appropriate to anyone. There were also strange people
wearind outfits with rose red and black colors. They all never seemed to talk or stop for anything. Fox
was amazed at the whole site.
Aside from Martin, Fox had never seen this type of technology in his life. Stories filled the holes
in his imagination, but he had never expected to see such a sight as this. 'Wow, seeing the world and its
wonders wasn't such a bad idea after all.' thought Fox.
Then discomfort attacked him when he thought of Falco. 'I wonder what he's doing right now,' thought Fox.
"We had better find an imfirmary fast." said Ray.
"You haven't been here before?" asked Fox.
"I've been here," started Ray, "but I only remember it when it was a space station. The whole
colony got finished a year ago, so its pretty new. Ah, there we are!"
Ray pointed to a sign with a red cross on it floating over a white door. "You go ahead," said Vash,
"I'll be looking for the others."
"I'll come with you." said Fox to Ray.
Ray nodded and started for the white door.
"Hey Ray," started Fox as they walked, "back when we were fighting those griffin things, what were
those orbs that floated into Wolf's and my weapon?"
"Oh, the Gehirn?" asked Ray. "Those were the spirits of the Geist. Depending on what kind of
weapon you have, determines the karma of your sword."
"But, I killed a soul then!" said Fox frightened.
"No," said Ray. "You meerly set that soul free. It now can go somewhere beside the Underworld. And
because of that, your weapon will start to grow in design and become more stronger when it happens
again."
"Only certain Geist have a Gehirn?"
"Yes. Sometimes the Gehirn will be reborn into another Geist and do the same deeds as before.
But the Gehirn decide what to do. Aparently, more souls only want war then freedom."
Ray looked stopped and looked at Wolf who was still hunched on Ray's shoulder. "Perhaps I should
only give him a warning when he wakes up."
Fox grinned.