"Entering planetary orbit in five, four, three, two, one. Now entering
planetary orbit," the mechanical voice, though given a gentle female
voice, sounded cold. Its frigid tone shattered the silence.
The female pilot awoke from her nap. She raised one eyelid, glancing at the baron world below. "Computer, set an entry course, prep the core unit for atmospheric entry, and engage. Place us in the center of the largest city."
The computer beeped its response and did as it was told. The core unit's 'wings' closed around its body, protecting the pilot and the more heat- sensitive portions of its body. As it entered the atmosphere, it glowed red, a fire streak trailing behind it for all on the planet below to see.
As it reached the target, the pilot spread the wing-like structure, creating more wind resistance. She adeptly programmed the exact town center into the navigational computer, adjusting for the monument that resided in the open circle, and engaged reverse thrusters. It hovered above the ground for a moment, the citizens staring at it in awe. They had not seen a new core unit in centuries and this arrival was taken as a good omen, despite the recent loss of their leader.
The new leader was formerly the eighth in the chain of command. She was rather inexperienced and had just become a pilot fairly recently. It was rumored that she had received her position as eighth through special favors that she had paid to the former commander and her crew. With the death of numbers one through seven in the recent attempt to reclaim their sister, her chance to shine had come a few decades too soon.
The teenage leader approached the core unit, a blade in hand. Her entourage carefully followed behind her, preparing for a fight with the core unit's pilot if necessary. She jumped back as the cockpit doors hissed and slid open.
The pilot removed her helmet and rose from her seat, placing the helmet back down where she had sat. Facing the crowd, she attempted her most serious face possible, though the lines Mitsuki had asked her to recite seemed so silly at the time.
"Sisters of old, your space brethren forgot you not! I am Mena Fitzgerald. This is Clotho," Mena waved a hand over the core unit as she spoke the alien tongue through a translating device. The core unit, now almost fully converted into a HIMC, seemed to almost absorb the daylight with its dark gray surface. She could still remember when it sat in Dr. Rara and Sanada's hilltop laboratory being constructed, it's empty husk in a dark corner to make room for Zinv and Katana. All of that had changed once she joined Mitsuki and Hera, however. Now she was being treated with the respect her and the rest of the Trio, as they were nicknamed, deserved. In fact, the only thing she missed from those days was Clotho's bright coloring.
She continued, "We have come to inform you of the outside world and welcome you back into our fold with open arms. For too long, we have been apart. It is time to heal this wound and move on together." The assembled crowd cheered and clapped, happy for this bit of pleasant news.
Mena smiled. Secretly, she had had doubts as to whether or not this plan would work in the beginning despite Mitsuki and Clotho's reassurances. The Elev of this world had been left here for so long by Kumu that Mena feared they would have mended ties with the Adome of this world and lost the urge to fight.
The fire in the people's eyes told her otherwise.
The memory of why she was on this world snapped Mena back to reality. As an afterthought, she added, "However, there is business that must be attended to here first. Who amongst you is thy leader? Let her present herself so that I may get to know my sister!"
The teenager stepped forward, her head held high. "I, Gaela, am the leader of these people!"
Mena hopped down from the cockpit, landing softly on her feet. "Greetings, sister. Is there somewhere that we may go that is more... Private?"
Gaela nodded, motioning towards a nearby building. "This way."
The two walked towards the building, a small path being created as the crowd parted and allowed them to pass. Mena smiled at some of the Elev as she passed them. The smile was humorless and cold, as if it hid a darkness beyond anything they could imagine.
They entered a slightly run-down office, the younger woman flopping down in the chair behind her desk. Her chair creaked and sounded as if it might collapse, but it remained steady. She motioned her hand over the recently cleared desk to the chair across from her. Mena simply glanced at the chair and then back at the young woman.
Nodding, Gaela skipped the formalities and went straight to the point, "For centuries, you have ignored us. Yet now, after all these years, you have come and welcomed us back with open arms... But, this is with one exception. Why do I have a feeling that this is a rather large exception?"
Mena stumbled for the proper words to use. When she was outside of Clotho's immediate influence, everything felt like a blur. Shaking her head, the Elev words came back to her and she replied, slowly pacing towards the large, half-shattered window that over-looked the city, "For one so young, you are perceptive." Though she had an entire city to look upon, Mena focused squarely on the large mass in the town's center. She could hear it calling for her. She needed to return soon. She had to.
Gaela turned her seat to face the somewhat menacing figure. "You still have not answered my question. Are you planning yet another rescue attempt for the Daughter of Kumu?"
Mena spun on her heels, her eyes wide momentarily with surprise. Quickly collecting herself, she smiled coolly, "So, you know of her landing. Tell me, do you know of any others who were with her?"
The young leader shook her head, shuffling through some of the brief memos that had been scratched into the crude paper they had made from indigenous plants. "We heard rumors of another, an Adome, who was with her, but nothing confirmed."
"I see... And their current whereabouts?"
"After our last attempt to liberate the Daughter of Kumu, we lost track of her and most of the Adome who had captured her. I find it hard to believe that she's still alive. The Adome are ruthless savages--"
"I could care less about the Daughter of Kumu! I want to know where her companion is immediately," Mena interrupted, the fury behind her eyes quite evident.
Gaela looked at her in disbelief, "Don't care about a Daughter of Kumu? Has our Elev brethren changed so much over these millennia that they care not for their sacred rulers? What does Kumu say of this?"
Mena glared at the child who was questioning her orders, the rage dwelling within barely being contained, "Kumu is dead. She has been for centuries. We have a new ruler now! Her name is Ms. Ra! You shall worship her above all others and swear your allegiance to her or die! Is this understood?"
Gaela swallowed hard and nodded, allowing Mena to continue, "Good. As such, the Daughter of Kumu is useless. We have new plans now. Those plans involve the man-- the Adome-- that was with her. You will tell me all that you know now, or I shall be forced to... punish you."
The impish grin that Mena flashed towards Gaela let her know that this would be most unpleasant if carried out. She stammered, trying to find any information locked in her mind that might avert that demonic glance from her, "I-I-If she's still alive, she's probably with the Desert Heart Corp. The Adome you seek will most likely be with them as well."
"The Desert Heart Corp? Go on..."
"They're a group of Adome who have the remaining core units that don't have Limiters in place. They initiate random attacks against our forces without warning and then return to the desert from whence they came. We have spent centuries trying to track them down, but we find they are too elusive for us to locate," Gaela paused. She felt the need to add something more for fear of this strange woman's wrath and stated, "That's all I know, I swear!"
Mena smiled politely, patting the Elev on the head. "Good girl. We... I shall take over from here. I will need all remaining Elev core units transferred to me."
"B-B-But what if the Desert Heart attacks us?"
Mena's eyes narrowed. "I said, I will need all remaining Elev core units transferred to me. Do I make myself clear?"
Gaela nodded nervously, "Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Good." Mena moved away from the commander, stepping towards the door. As she opened door, Mena turned her head back towards the commander, "I am returning to my core unit now. You need not provide me with accommodations."
"But surely you must rest!"
"You heard me, dammit," Mena snarled and quickly left the office. Her patience was wearing thin. She found that all she wanted at this point was to be nestled safely inside of Clotho, her precious counterpart.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Kazuki poked at the small fire that was their only source of warmth in this cold, desolate land they were trapped in. Placing the piece of shrapnel back on the desert sands, he looked up at the sky around them.
"It's so clear, isn't it?"
Kazuki nodded and smiled softly, "Yes it is, Dee. When did you wake up?"
Dee struggled to sit up, leaning heavily on Kazuki. She finally rested her head on his shoulder, continuing to look up at the stars. "I haven't seen a night this clear on a planet's surface in almost two years. It was your wedding night. Do you remember?"
Kazuki shut his eyes, lowering his head. He muttered softly, "Yes, yes I remember."
"I hope she's alright. I hope everyone is all right."
"As do I..."
"Kazuki?"
"Yes Dee?"
"Did you see that?"
Kazuki looked back up at the sky, tracking the strange object as it left a trail in the atmosphere. "A meteor?"
Dee shook her head. "No, it's no meteor... I sense something... Dangerous. Let's go, Kazuki. Let's go now."
Kazuki glanced down at Dee. "But we just stopped for the evening..."
"I know, but this is major. I don't know how I know, but I do. Let's go."
"What about--"
The commander stepped out from behind Persephone's outstretched arm, "I can assure you, he already knows. If the Elev says we must leave, then we shall." He slung his pack over his back, ready to depart at a moment's notice.
Kazuki sighed, slowly rising and helping Dee up. "Very well. Let's go." He and the commander helped Dee into Persephone's cockpit carefully, pulling himself up afterwards. Sitting back down in the pilot's seat, he placed his hands on the life sympathy orbs.
"So, where to now?"
Dee smiled and looked at their companion. "I think our friend here has the answer to that..."
The commander eyed Dee cautiously. Something strange had awoken in this Elev, this Daughter of Kumu; something that disturbed and yet intrigued him greatly. "Go that way. Within a quarter of a conord, we will reach our final destination."
Kazuki glared at the commander. "We were that close? Why the hell didn't you say so?"
The commander turned his gaze towards the desert before them. "I had to decide whether or not I was going to have to kill you and steal your machine. It's too obsolete to be of any use. Lucky you."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. He began to rise out of his seat, but was restrained by Dee's soft touch. She simply shook her head and whispered, "He needs us as much as we need him. We're safe, for now at least."
Nodding, Kazuki settled back down into the seat and began walking in the direction that the Adome had pointed. The core robot's footfalls were heavy, yet unsteady as it crossed the dunes of Edenora, much like the occupants' uncertain future.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Well, where is it," Kazuki's voice barely masked his annoyance. They had been plodding around the cliff-side for almost an hour now, poking and prodding various rock formations for the hidden lever.
The commander sat calmly with his eyes closed. "If I could remember, I'd tell you."
"I don't buy it! What kind of leader doesn't remember where the switch to his own hideout is?"
The man simply shrugged, his eyes remaining shut. "Believe what you will. The fact remains."
"Let's leave him here, Dee. This stinks of a setup."
Dee nodded slowly, looking out over the rocky landscape before them. "I agree. However, I fear you have come to this conclusion a little too late."
Kazuki gave Dee a questioning look. "Huh?"
"You there! Halt!" A light shone down upon the core robot from the cliff- top.
"Gah!" Kazuki began to move Persephone out of it, but the barrels of rifles pressed against the core robot's left, right, and backsides halted his progress.
"I said halt. Disengage your robot and exit the cockpit immediately or be destroyed."
Dee looked up at Kazuki, resting her hand on his. "Do as they say."
Nodding, Kazuki opened the latch and elbowed the Adome who had been tormenting them. "You first."
The man opened his eyes, glancing down at Kazuki before slowly edging towards the open hatch. His hands raised, the commander stepped into the light and glanced upward at the spotlight. Kazuki followed him, supporting Dee as she limped out of the cockpit.
"F-Father? Is that you?"
"Yes, Furon. It is your father, Faran. I bring... Guests."
A few audible gasps could be heard as the assembled core unit pilots noticed Dee's appearance. Immediately, one of the units moved its rifle barrel towards her and Kazuki, causing Kazuki's eyes to widen greatly.
Continuing, the commander stated calmly, "Dispose of the boy. He is of no use to us. The Daughter of Kumu, however, will be of great use. She must be kept safe, for now. Find her a cell--"
"Wait!" Dee pushed away from Kazuki, relying on what little strength remained in her frail body to support her. She glared at the commander, his somewhat stunned gaze beginning to annoy her. "Both of you have toyed with me... With us, long enough. It ends now. You will let Kazuki live and you will begin treating us with the proper respect that we deserve."
Faran chuckled slowly pacing towards the young Elev. "And why, my dear, would we listen to you?"
Dee's flashed an insincere smile at the commander, her contempt of the man quite obvious. "Because I am your key to surviving on this world and possibly your one ticket off of it. Disobey me and you will surely die at the hands of the Elev on this world."
"We have survived for a long time here without your aid. What makes you think we need the services you and your," Faran motioned towards Kazuki, "'Friend' can provide?"
Dee's smile grew in intensity; its haunting glow frightened some of the less battle-hardened pilots observing the situation. "Because I saw the way you looked at me in that cockpit when I released the Limiter. You're short on many things, manners among them, but what you require most at this moment is function core units."
"And what makes you think this? We have plenty of functioning units, as you can see," Faran waved his hands towards the four units that surrounded them.
"Any fool could have seen the desperation upon your face at that moment, Faran. You saw an opportunity to claim this world for the Adome and you planned to take full advantage of it."
Dee approached the commander, her small frame mere inches from him. Speaking softly, she stated, "I have no problem with the Adome taking over this world. I have helped them many times in the past. The Adome people were my friends long before you were brought into this forsaken world. However, I do not take kindly to my friends or myself being threatened. Tell them to lower their weapons and we can discuss this in a more civil manner."
Faran eyed the young woman carefully. He had never heard of a Daughter of Kumu and an Adome being acquaintances, let alone friends. Such a relationship was only told in the stories of the elders. Surely this one could not be the same as the one who returned to Earth. Those stories were ancient long before he was born. This young woman appeared to be no older than his son. Yet both were Daughters of Kumu and the healer's report had shown that no Liquidator was within her...
Snorting, the commander turned from her. "Very well. You shall follow me, provided someone could lower us to the ground," he glanced over his shoulder at Kazuki, who was simply staring oddly back at the two in total confusion.
"Oh! Yeah... Right... Ok!" Kazuki sat back down in the pilot's seat and commanded Persephone to lie down on the desert floor. "Done!"
"Thank you." Dee approached Kazuki and gave him a small hug. "Stay here, Kazuki. Everything will be fine."
"Uh, Dee?"
"Yes Kazuki?"
"Could you tell me what the heck's going on here?"
Dee paused, considered the question with a thoughtful look upon her face, and replied, "Some of it goes beyond your understanding at this time. Some of it will disturb you. Therefore, I cannot tell you everything at present. I am sorry." Dee's mouth made a small frown, which caused Kazuki's heart to melt. No one on the artifact ship could remain angry with her when she made such a face and the same held true for this world.
Kazuki nodded. "Alright, Dee. Just promise to tell me someday, ok?"
Dee nodded and turned to face Faran. "Shall we proceed?"
He motioned towards the cliff face, bowing. "This way."
Dee and Faran approached the cliff's base and the man pressed one of the neighboring rocks. A portion of the cliff slid backward and then up out of view. The two entered, Dee moving with strength she appeared not to have possessed mere moments earlier. They left a very confused Kazuki behind them.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Mena's eyes narrowed as she scanned the smoldering remains of the Adome camp. The Elev forces had been thorough in their attempt to destroy the camp and its residents, but, by simply looking at the body count, Mena knew some had escaped. Now Kazuki was out there, somewhere, mocking her and Clotho.
"Ma'am, the sands have shifted too much since the attack. There's no way we'll find them!"
Mena glared at the core unit's pilot via the video link. If it weren't a waste of a perfectly good core unit, she would have commanded Clotho to remove the scum from her very sight. Unfortunately, resources were almost as limited as her time on this world. Mitsuki had been very specific about the amount of time she'd allow Mena to spent searching for Kazuki. Any deviation from this time frame would result in a most unpleasant reward.
"Sir, we should probably head back."
"No!" Mena's shout rang through the communications line as clear as day. "Fan out. I want the Daughter of Kumu and her companion found immediately."
"But it wil--"
"Now!"
The shaken pilots replied in an uneasy unison, "Yes sir," and began searching the wilderness for signs of survivors on foot. Clotho rose from the ashes of the Adome camp and scanned the surrounding area.
"Dust, dust, and more dust," Mena snarled as she surveyed the scanner results.
Clotho: "Calm yourself. He could not have left the planet's surface. We will find him."
"Calm myself? You know what Ms. Ra said she would do to us if we returned empty handed!"
"Um, ma'am?"
Clotho: "This is true, but I was merely..."
"Just find him, dammit!"
"Ms. Fitzgerald? Are you speaking to us?"
Mena glanced at her comm. panel, "No! Get back to work!" She turned off the communications systems before adding, "That goes for you too, Clotho."
Clotho: "Understood."
The female pilot awoke from her nap. She raised one eyelid, glancing at the baron world below. "Computer, set an entry course, prep the core unit for atmospheric entry, and engage. Place us in the center of the largest city."
The computer beeped its response and did as it was told. The core unit's 'wings' closed around its body, protecting the pilot and the more heat- sensitive portions of its body. As it entered the atmosphere, it glowed red, a fire streak trailing behind it for all on the planet below to see.
As it reached the target, the pilot spread the wing-like structure, creating more wind resistance. She adeptly programmed the exact town center into the navigational computer, adjusting for the monument that resided in the open circle, and engaged reverse thrusters. It hovered above the ground for a moment, the citizens staring at it in awe. They had not seen a new core unit in centuries and this arrival was taken as a good omen, despite the recent loss of their leader.
The new leader was formerly the eighth in the chain of command. She was rather inexperienced and had just become a pilot fairly recently. It was rumored that she had received her position as eighth through special favors that she had paid to the former commander and her crew. With the death of numbers one through seven in the recent attempt to reclaim their sister, her chance to shine had come a few decades too soon.
The teenage leader approached the core unit, a blade in hand. Her entourage carefully followed behind her, preparing for a fight with the core unit's pilot if necessary. She jumped back as the cockpit doors hissed and slid open.
The pilot removed her helmet and rose from her seat, placing the helmet back down where she had sat. Facing the crowd, she attempted her most serious face possible, though the lines Mitsuki had asked her to recite seemed so silly at the time.
"Sisters of old, your space brethren forgot you not! I am Mena Fitzgerald. This is Clotho," Mena waved a hand over the core unit as she spoke the alien tongue through a translating device. The core unit, now almost fully converted into a HIMC, seemed to almost absorb the daylight with its dark gray surface. She could still remember when it sat in Dr. Rara and Sanada's hilltop laboratory being constructed, it's empty husk in a dark corner to make room for Zinv and Katana. All of that had changed once she joined Mitsuki and Hera, however. Now she was being treated with the respect her and the rest of the Trio, as they were nicknamed, deserved. In fact, the only thing she missed from those days was Clotho's bright coloring.
She continued, "We have come to inform you of the outside world and welcome you back into our fold with open arms. For too long, we have been apart. It is time to heal this wound and move on together." The assembled crowd cheered and clapped, happy for this bit of pleasant news.
Mena smiled. Secretly, she had had doubts as to whether or not this plan would work in the beginning despite Mitsuki and Clotho's reassurances. The Elev of this world had been left here for so long by Kumu that Mena feared they would have mended ties with the Adome of this world and lost the urge to fight.
The fire in the people's eyes told her otherwise.
The memory of why she was on this world snapped Mena back to reality. As an afterthought, she added, "However, there is business that must be attended to here first. Who amongst you is thy leader? Let her present herself so that I may get to know my sister!"
The teenager stepped forward, her head held high. "I, Gaela, am the leader of these people!"
Mena hopped down from the cockpit, landing softly on her feet. "Greetings, sister. Is there somewhere that we may go that is more... Private?"
Gaela nodded, motioning towards a nearby building. "This way."
The two walked towards the building, a small path being created as the crowd parted and allowed them to pass. Mena smiled at some of the Elev as she passed them. The smile was humorless and cold, as if it hid a darkness beyond anything they could imagine.
They entered a slightly run-down office, the younger woman flopping down in the chair behind her desk. Her chair creaked and sounded as if it might collapse, but it remained steady. She motioned her hand over the recently cleared desk to the chair across from her. Mena simply glanced at the chair and then back at the young woman.
Nodding, Gaela skipped the formalities and went straight to the point, "For centuries, you have ignored us. Yet now, after all these years, you have come and welcomed us back with open arms... But, this is with one exception. Why do I have a feeling that this is a rather large exception?"
Mena stumbled for the proper words to use. When she was outside of Clotho's immediate influence, everything felt like a blur. Shaking her head, the Elev words came back to her and she replied, slowly pacing towards the large, half-shattered window that over-looked the city, "For one so young, you are perceptive." Though she had an entire city to look upon, Mena focused squarely on the large mass in the town's center. She could hear it calling for her. She needed to return soon. She had to.
Gaela turned her seat to face the somewhat menacing figure. "You still have not answered my question. Are you planning yet another rescue attempt for the Daughter of Kumu?"
Mena spun on her heels, her eyes wide momentarily with surprise. Quickly collecting herself, she smiled coolly, "So, you know of her landing. Tell me, do you know of any others who were with her?"
The young leader shook her head, shuffling through some of the brief memos that had been scratched into the crude paper they had made from indigenous plants. "We heard rumors of another, an Adome, who was with her, but nothing confirmed."
"I see... And their current whereabouts?"
"After our last attempt to liberate the Daughter of Kumu, we lost track of her and most of the Adome who had captured her. I find it hard to believe that she's still alive. The Adome are ruthless savages--"
"I could care less about the Daughter of Kumu! I want to know where her companion is immediately," Mena interrupted, the fury behind her eyes quite evident.
Gaela looked at her in disbelief, "Don't care about a Daughter of Kumu? Has our Elev brethren changed so much over these millennia that they care not for their sacred rulers? What does Kumu say of this?"
Mena glared at the child who was questioning her orders, the rage dwelling within barely being contained, "Kumu is dead. She has been for centuries. We have a new ruler now! Her name is Ms. Ra! You shall worship her above all others and swear your allegiance to her or die! Is this understood?"
Gaela swallowed hard and nodded, allowing Mena to continue, "Good. As such, the Daughter of Kumu is useless. We have new plans now. Those plans involve the man-- the Adome-- that was with her. You will tell me all that you know now, or I shall be forced to... punish you."
The impish grin that Mena flashed towards Gaela let her know that this would be most unpleasant if carried out. She stammered, trying to find any information locked in her mind that might avert that demonic glance from her, "I-I-If she's still alive, she's probably with the Desert Heart Corp. The Adome you seek will most likely be with them as well."
"The Desert Heart Corp? Go on..."
"They're a group of Adome who have the remaining core units that don't have Limiters in place. They initiate random attacks against our forces without warning and then return to the desert from whence they came. We have spent centuries trying to track them down, but we find they are too elusive for us to locate," Gaela paused. She felt the need to add something more for fear of this strange woman's wrath and stated, "That's all I know, I swear!"
Mena smiled politely, patting the Elev on the head. "Good girl. We... I shall take over from here. I will need all remaining Elev core units transferred to me."
"B-B-But what if the Desert Heart attacks us?"
Mena's eyes narrowed. "I said, I will need all remaining Elev core units transferred to me. Do I make myself clear?"
Gaela nodded nervously, "Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Good." Mena moved away from the commander, stepping towards the door. As she opened door, Mena turned her head back towards the commander, "I am returning to my core unit now. You need not provide me with accommodations."
"But surely you must rest!"
"You heard me, dammit," Mena snarled and quickly left the office. Her patience was wearing thin. She found that all she wanted at this point was to be nestled safely inside of Clotho, her precious counterpart.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Kazuki poked at the small fire that was their only source of warmth in this cold, desolate land they were trapped in. Placing the piece of shrapnel back on the desert sands, he looked up at the sky around them.
"It's so clear, isn't it?"
Kazuki nodded and smiled softly, "Yes it is, Dee. When did you wake up?"
Dee struggled to sit up, leaning heavily on Kazuki. She finally rested her head on his shoulder, continuing to look up at the stars. "I haven't seen a night this clear on a planet's surface in almost two years. It was your wedding night. Do you remember?"
Kazuki shut his eyes, lowering his head. He muttered softly, "Yes, yes I remember."
"I hope she's alright. I hope everyone is all right."
"As do I..."
"Kazuki?"
"Yes Dee?"
"Did you see that?"
Kazuki looked back up at the sky, tracking the strange object as it left a trail in the atmosphere. "A meteor?"
Dee shook her head. "No, it's no meteor... I sense something... Dangerous. Let's go, Kazuki. Let's go now."
Kazuki glanced down at Dee. "But we just stopped for the evening..."
"I know, but this is major. I don't know how I know, but I do. Let's go."
"What about--"
The commander stepped out from behind Persephone's outstretched arm, "I can assure you, he already knows. If the Elev says we must leave, then we shall." He slung his pack over his back, ready to depart at a moment's notice.
Kazuki sighed, slowly rising and helping Dee up. "Very well. Let's go." He and the commander helped Dee into Persephone's cockpit carefully, pulling himself up afterwards. Sitting back down in the pilot's seat, he placed his hands on the life sympathy orbs.
"So, where to now?"
Dee smiled and looked at their companion. "I think our friend here has the answer to that..."
The commander eyed Dee cautiously. Something strange had awoken in this Elev, this Daughter of Kumu; something that disturbed and yet intrigued him greatly. "Go that way. Within a quarter of a conord, we will reach our final destination."
Kazuki glared at the commander. "We were that close? Why the hell didn't you say so?"
The commander turned his gaze towards the desert before them. "I had to decide whether or not I was going to have to kill you and steal your machine. It's too obsolete to be of any use. Lucky you."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. He began to rise out of his seat, but was restrained by Dee's soft touch. She simply shook her head and whispered, "He needs us as much as we need him. We're safe, for now at least."
Nodding, Kazuki settled back down into the seat and began walking in the direction that the Adome had pointed. The core robot's footfalls were heavy, yet unsteady as it crossed the dunes of Edenora, much like the occupants' uncertain future.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Well, where is it," Kazuki's voice barely masked his annoyance. They had been plodding around the cliff-side for almost an hour now, poking and prodding various rock formations for the hidden lever.
The commander sat calmly with his eyes closed. "If I could remember, I'd tell you."
"I don't buy it! What kind of leader doesn't remember where the switch to his own hideout is?"
The man simply shrugged, his eyes remaining shut. "Believe what you will. The fact remains."
"Let's leave him here, Dee. This stinks of a setup."
Dee nodded slowly, looking out over the rocky landscape before them. "I agree. However, I fear you have come to this conclusion a little too late."
Kazuki gave Dee a questioning look. "Huh?"
"You there! Halt!" A light shone down upon the core robot from the cliff- top.
"Gah!" Kazuki began to move Persephone out of it, but the barrels of rifles pressed against the core robot's left, right, and backsides halted his progress.
"I said halt. Disengage your robot and exit the cockpit immediately or be destroyed."
Dee looked up at Kazuki, resting her hand on his. "Do as they say."
Nodding, Kazuki opened the latch and elbowed the Adome who had been tormenting them. "You first."
The man opened his eyes, glancing down at Kazuki before slowly edging towards the open hatch. His hands raised, the commander stepped into the light and glanced upward at the spotlight. Kazuki followed him, supporting Dee as she limped out of the cockpit.
"F-Father? Is that you?"
"Yes, Furon. It is your father, Faran. I bring... Guests."
A few audible gasps could be heard as the assembled core unit pilots noticed Dee's appearance. Immediately, one of the units moved its rifle barrel towards her and Kazuki, causing Kazuki's eyes to widen greatly.
Continuing, the commander stated calmly, "Dispose of the boy. He is of no use to us. The Daughter of Kumu, however, will be of great use. She must be kept safe, for now. Find her a cell--"
"Wait!" Dee pushed away from Kazuki, relying on what little strength remained in her frail body to support her. She glared at the commander, his somewhat stunned gaze beginning to annoy her. "Both of you have toyed with me... With us, long enough. It ends now. You will let Kazuki live and you will begin treating us with the proper respect that we deserve."
Faran chuckled slowly pacing towards the young Elev. "And why, my dear, would we listen to you?"
Dee's flashed an insincere smile at the commander, her contempt of the man quite obvious. "Because I am your key to surviving on this world and possibly your one ticket off of it. Disobey me and you will surely die at the hands of the Elev on this world."
"We have survived for a long time here without your aid. What makes you think we need the services you and your," Faran motioned towards Kazuki, "'Friend' can provide?"
Dee's smile grew in intensity; its haunting glow frightened some of the less battle-hardened pilots observing the situation. "Because I saw the way you looked at me in that cockpit when I released the Limiter. You're short on many things, manners among them, but what you require most at this moment is function core units."
"And what makes you think this? We have plenty of functioning units, as you can see," Faran waved his hands towards the four units that surrounded them.
"Any fool could have seen the desperation upon your face at that moment, Faran. You saw an opportunity to claim this world for the Adome and you planned to take full advantage of it."
Dee approached the commander, her small frame mere inches from him. Speaking softly, she stated, "I have no problem with the Adome taking over this world. I have helped them many times in the past. The Adome people were my friends long before you were brought into this forsaken world. However, I do not take kindly to my friends or myself being threatened. Tell them to lower their weapons and we can discuss this in a more civil manner."
Faran eyed the young woman carefully. He had never heard of a Daughter of Kumu and an Adome being acquaintances, let alone friends. Such a relationship was only told in the stories of the elders. Surely this one could not be the same as the one who returned to Earth. Those stories were ancient long before he was born. This young woman appeared to be no older than his son. Yet both were Daughters of Kumu and the healer's report had shown that no Liquidator was within her...
Snorting, the commander turned from her. "Very well. You shall follow me, provided someone could lower us to the ground," he glanced over his shoulder at Kazuki, who was simply staring oddly back at the two in total confusion.
"Oh! Yeah... Right... Ok!" Kazuki sat back down in the pilot's seat and commanded Persephone to lie down on the desert floor. "Done!"
"Thank you." Dee approached Kazuki and gave him a small hug. "Stay here, Kazuki. Everything will be fine."
"Uh, Dee?"
"Yes Kazuki?"
"Could you tell me what the heck's going on here?"
Dee paused, considered the question with a thoughtful look upon her face, and replied, "Some of it goes beyond your understanding at this time. Some of it will disturb you. Therefore, I cannot tell you everything at present. I am sorry." Dee's mouth made a small frown, which caused Kazuki's heart to melt. No one on the artifact ship could remain angry with her when she made such a face and the same held true for this world.
Kazuki nodded. "Alright, Dee. Just promise to tell me someday, ok?"
Dee nodded and turned to face Faran. "Shall we proceed?"
He motioned towards the cliff face, bowing. "This way."
Dee and Faran approached the cliff's base and the man pressed one of the neighboring rocks. A portion of the cliff slid backward and then up out of view. The two entered, Dee moving with strength she appeared not to have possessed mere moments earlier. They left a very confused Kazuki behind them.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Mena's eyes narrowed as she scanned the smoldering remains of the Adome camp. The Elev forces had been thorough in their attempt to destroy the camp and its residents, but, by simply looking at the body count, Mena knew some had escaped. Now Kazuki was out there, somewhere, mocking her and Clotho.
"Ma'am, the sands have shifted too much since the attack. There's no way we'll find them!"
Mena glared at the core unit's pilot via the video link. If it weren't a waste of a perfectly good core unit, she would have commanded Clotho to remove the scum from her very sight. Unfortunately, resources were almost as limited as her time on this world. Mitsuki had been very specific about the amount of time she'd allow Mena to spent searching for Kazuki. Any deviation from this time frame would result in a most unpleasant reward.
"Sir, we should probably head back."
"No!" Mena's shout rang through the communications line as clear as day. "Fan out. I want the Daughter of Kumu and her companion found immediately."
"But it wil--"
"Now!"
The shaken pilots replied in an uneasy unison, "Yes sir," and began searching the wilderness for signs of survivors on foot. Clotho rose from the ashes of the Adome camp and scanned the surrounding area.
"Dust, dust, and more dust," Mena snarled as she surveyed the scanner results.
Clotho: "Calm yourself. He could not have left the planet's surface. We will find him."
"Calm myself? You know what Ms. Ra said she would do to us if we returned empty handed!"
"Um, ma'am?"
Clotho: "This is true, but I was merely..."
"Just find him, dammit!"
"Ms. Fitzgerald? Are you speaking to us?"
Mena glanced at her comm. panel, "No! Get back to work!" She turned off the communications systems before adding, "That goes for you too, Clotho."
Clotho: "Understood."