Disclaimer: How many times do we have to go over this?
I'd like to begin by once again thanking my reviewer's for their encouragement and support of the story. If I've made you impatient for more material I apologize, and I hope this next chapter will make up for it.
If any of you guys like to read D/R you've got to check out Jen23's fics. I haven't read anyone else who does D/R better.
In the last chapter we were introduced to the Gundam Fighter from Neo- Scotland, Roland McGregor, who revealed that he was collecting items from the Kasshu household to bring to Rain. McGregor arrogantly challenged Chibodee, Sai-Saici, and Allenby only to be soundly defeated and forced to flee, leaving behind his weapon of choice and the promise that he would soon return to fight again. However the three companions would not wait idly for McGregor to make good on his word, and are attempting to track him down. Meanwhile George de Sand continues his journey to discover the fate of Argo Gulskii, who, like Domon is missing.
So without further ado let's get things started Gundam Fight All Set. Ready! Go!
A New History Forgotten. Chapter 3: In Pursuit, the Allies of Roland McGregor.
"He couldn't have gotten very far, shouldn't we be looking for him bro?" Sai-Saici and Chibodee were both searching the Kasshu household. Looking for any evidence, any sign of what Roland McGregor and his men were there to collect.
"Look little buddy, I'm just as anxious as you are. I'd like nothing better than to run down that red-haired looney and make him PAY." Chibodee's left fist clenched as his right hand calmly shifted through some papers on a desk in Rain's study. "But just picking a direction and running off isn't going to get us any closer to finding out what happened to Domon and Rain. So while Allenby is working on Bagpipes little garden tool, the best thing we can do is see what we can find in here." Chibodee sat down and began pulling the desk's drawers out, he stopped when he came across Rain's journal, marked plainly in white on the black covered book.
"Find something bro?" Sai asked as he turned away from the bookshelf he was searching through.
"Rain's Diary." Chibodee began flipping through the pages.
"Maybe you shouldn't, that's private." Sai started to protest as he moved towards Chibodee.
"I'm not reading anything, I'm just looking for the last entry. Here it is." Chibodee slowly shook his head and looked up at Sai sadly, "It's from almost two month's ago. Damn it!" Chibodee swore angrily, his eyes squeezed shut. "Rain and Domon needed us, and we didn't even know they were gone." Sai only nodded in silent agreement, equally distressed.
[Outside the Kasshu Household, in the air car]
Allenby passed a hand held scanner over McGregor's sword a third and final time and sat back, awaiting the results. The sword itself certainly wasn't of great interest. Allenby had seen dozens of antique weapons that were beautifully inlaid with jewels upon golden hilts. Weapons equally stunning and deadly, possessing the sharpest tempered steel, and the most vibrant of decorations. In comparison this sword was Spartan, a simple one- hand hilt that carried a cross guard right below the double-edged blade.
Allenby studied the results on her console. There was not another specific sword like it in the database, 'I should've guessed this would be a custom job. McGregor had this sword designed specifically for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually forged it himself. But let's see what else we can find here.' She called up a readout of what the sword was made of and the results caused her to blink. 'Tempered steel, and nanites. At least part of the weapon was made of the same material that allowed the mobile trace system in Gundam's to work. Unfortunately, while the information was interesting, it didn't bring her any closer to finding out what she needed to know. 'Chibodee may have been wrong. I don't think this blasted sword can tell us where to start looking for that bastard.' As Allenby reached to turn her console off she noticed something else. 'There's sulfur on it?' She quickly broke out into a grin as she called up more information. 'There's an old automated sulfur plant not too far from here.' Allenby got out of her seat and ran into the house and came upon Chibodee and Sai as they were leaving the study. "Did you guys find anything?" She asked.
"Just sis's diary." Sai replied. "Nothing that can help us find her."
"Did you have any luck Allenby?" Chibodee asked.
"Well, I found something worth looking into. McGregor's sword has a few traces of sulfur on it, and there's an automated sulfur plant not too far away from here."
"Sounds like a nice place to avoid attention. Let's check it out." They all headed back to the air car.
[The Houwanadai Sulfur facility, thirteenth industrial district.]
"This place is huge!" Sai exclaimed as the facility came into view upon the horizon. Three acres of yellow stone, piled inconspicuously among five large towers, all connected by a central facility that was at least six stories tall. In the mid day light with smoke rising steadily from all over the black structure, it gave off an impression of an angry volcano, just waiting for the perfect time to erupt. "Where can we even start looking? Even if McGregor IS here it could take the three of us days to search the entire plant."
"Well the first thing we do is land the car and walk the rest of the way. We don't want to announce that we're coming." Allenby wore a determined expression on her face as she searched for a suitable hiding place for the car. "As far as finding McGregor I have an idea about that. His sword is at least partially made up of, and coated with the same nano- technology that the Mobile Trace System uses."
Chibodee's eye's shot wide and he leaned away from Allenby's chair so he could look into her face, "Are you sure about that? I didn't know that was possible."
Before Allenby could answer Sai asked, "What's the big deal bro? What does it matter?"
Chibodee cut in darkly, "Because if McGregor, or the people he's working for have managed to modify nano-technology and incorporate it into their weapons then they'll have a monstrous advantage in any battle."
Allenby continued, "Think of it this way. The Mobile Trace System is composed of nanites that adapt and change to fit the form of the user. So in theory a weapon made with that same technology could change shape, alter it's physical properties, even absorb energy the same way that that Domon's old Gundam absorbed the power of anger. A Gundam armed with that kind of power.." She trailed off, but all three of them could imagine vividly.
"Well then, it's a good thing they haven't finished the technology." Sai finally added as Allenby brought the craft to the ground.
"How do you figure that?" Chibodee asked.
"Because McGregor would've used it on us back at the house if it was ready." Allenby responded as she unstrapped herself and held up a small device for the others to inspect. "This scanner has a limited range, but I've programmed it to detect nanites like the ones on the sword. It may not be much, but it's all we've got."
"Where'd you learn how to do all this stuff Allenby?" Chibodee asked as he followed her out of the car.
"My parents were killed when I was very little. My government adopted me and have taught me to be a soldier ever since. Besides all the combat training I can pilot, or drive a lot of different vehicles. They taught me five languages. They were also very insistent that I develop analytical skills so I could be better prepared for my opponents before a match." Allenby turned when she sensed that Chibodee and Sai had stopped moving. Looking back she saw that they both had strange expressions on their faces. "What are you two looking at?" She blushed slightly, embarrassed at the attention.
"Doesn't sound like they left much room for fun." Chibodee said.
"Weren't you lonely?" Sai asked.
Suddenly and inexplicably Allenby felt moisture running down her cheeks, and she wiped them energetically with her sleeve and turned away from them. "Let's do what we came here to do." 'Look at me, crying like this. They must think I'm a total basket case.' Allenby hurried out of the car ahead of the others, trying to hide her embarrassment.
A few minutes later the three of them were walking along in the wilderness, all in somber moods. Chibodee looked over at Allenby and felt cold at the expression on her face. 'Something's really getting to her.' Chibodee nudged Sai with his elbow and nodded ahead in the distance when he was sure he had his attention.
Sai nodded his understanding, "I'll go on ahead, and see if I can find a nice inconspicuous place to get in." Without waiting for confirmation Sai headed off.
Allenby looked at Sai's retreating figure in the distance, "If you think that was subtle, you're wrong." She said as they continued walking.
"I wasn't going for subtle. I was going for finding out what's on your mind that's got you so upset." Chibodee answered as he jammed his hands into his coat pockets.
"You mean besides the obvious?" Allenby's voice cracked slightly and turned her face away from Chibodee, exasperated at herself. 'What's going on with me!?' She cried out to herself. 'Just get a grip Allenby.' But she couldn't. It had hit her soundly and squarely in the heart with the cold precision of sharpshooter's bullet back at the car. 'Weren't you lonely?' She had wanted to refute it. She had wanted to say that she was happy that she had lots of friends growing up and plenty of wonderful memories. But as she looked back all she saw were doctors poking and prodding at her. Experimenting with the berserker system while drilling combat tactics and scientific theories into her head. She had tried to find one happy memory of her life before she met Domon Kasshu. Unfortunately, her memory was one long, unmerciful, cold, terrifying scream. Her vision blurred with tears and a sob escaped her lips even as both her hands came over them and she stopped walking.
Chibodee was alarmed at Allenby's sudden cry, "Allenby?" He asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't touch me!" She warned as she turned away. "Just give me a minute and I'll be fine."
"Allenby." Chibodee started softly, but he couldn't find the words to express his feelings. He wanted to help, to tell her that it would all turn out okay, but the words sounded hollow in his own mind. He hadn't a clue how to help and it was breaking his heart. "I'm sorry." He didn't know what he was apologizing for, but was compelled to all the same.
"I don't want your pity!" Allenby exclaimed as she turned to face him again.
"I don't pity you Allenby." Chibodee replied sincerely. His tone soft and warm to Allenby's ears. "I'm just sad for you. A woman with such gorgeous eyes shouldn't cry like this." Allenby's thoughts were a confused jumble and she didn't resist when Chibodee gently pulled her to him and laid her head on his shoulder. After a moment Allenby's arms reached up and grabbed Chibodee's shoulders and the words came tumbling out of her mouth, "All my life I've been treated like a lab rat. My government competing like mad scientists, trying to come out with the most impressive monster for display. I've been their tool for so long. The people I've hurt, the guilt I have. I used to just turn to video games to try and escape the truth. I was no better than a killer. A living weapon that they aimed and fired at other living breathing people." She paused for breath but Chibodee did not interrupt, waiting for her to continue. "Then I met Domon and everything changed. He taught me so much, made me feel real things. Suddenly I felt like a person and not a weapon. I fell in love with him, and now he might be gone forever. The one person in that made my life worth living." She broke off and began sobbing openly.
Chibodee just held her and stroked her back softly waiting for her to calm. "Allenby? I want you to listen to me for a minute okay?" Allenby choked on a sob, but Chibodee felt her nod into his shoulder. "I'm not the brightest guy when it comes to making people feel better, so if I get this wrong feel free to dump my head in the nearest champagne fountain." Allenby couldn't help the pained laugh that broke through. "Nothing I can do is going to erase your past. I wish to god that I could but I can't. I also wish I could promise that we're going to get Domon back, but I'd hate to be proven a liar." Allenby's hands tightened in Chibodee's jacket. "But I can tell you this. You were never a monster, or a killer. You were just a puppet in your government's eyes, but you know what I see when I look at you? A sensitive, kind, lovely young woman. It's in your eyes. I can see it every time at look at them. You aren't responsible for what the berserker system made you do."
"But." She tried to interrupt.
"Shhh, I'm on a roll here." She swatted his right shoulder but didn't argue, "The fact that you feel so guilty now just proves what a good person you are. You deserve to have all the happiness that this world can offer, and it's a crying shame that you don't. So let me make you a promise. Once this is all over, and we settle up with McGregor and whoever else he's working with. I'll take you out to start making some more happy memories. What do you say?"
Allenby's smile was growing for a while, and though she was still crying the pain in her heart lifted slightly and she answered with a shaking voice, "It's a date."
Chibodee smiled and gently pulled Allenby away to look into her eyes, "Now let's go show that Scottish fruit what a real fight is all about."
"Let's" Allenby agreed.
[Inside the facility.]
"Shut yer stinkin hole! You weren't there, I was!" Roland McGregor had his fists planted firmly on a black square table as he leaned over it and shouted directly at the man across from him. "I'm tellin ya, I didn't have a choice! If I hadn't retreated."
"Ran away." The other man corrected, seemingly oblivious to McGregor's hostile tone.
"Retreated," Roland repeated in a much darker tone, "When I did they would've caught me and found the damn data files you were so insistent that I bring back! What else was I supposed to do!?"
The sheer speed and viciousness of the attack caught Roland and the other two men at the table completely by surprise. In half a heartbeat Roland was sprawled face first upon the table with a pale white hand firmly pressing his head down upon the unforgiving stone. The man began speaking in a cultured eastern European accent as his other hand motioned for the two men to return to their seats, "Keep this in mind for the future Roland. We're playing a very delicate game here. If we don't make our moves carefully and concisely then everything that I'VE," Roland let out a pained moan as the pressure increased on his scalp, "worked for will be for nothing. By leaving your blade behind our enemy now has a sample of the nanites, this is in-excusable. The technology will do us no good if it is exposed before the start of the Gundam Fight."
"I get yer point already! Lay offa me now!" Roland cried out as he struggled ineffectively against the arm that held him pinned. "I said I'm sorry! KANE PLEASE!!" Roland begged. Blood began running down Roland's nose as he truly panicked. Suddenly the pressure was gone and Roland slid to the floor gasping and panting.
"Get up and look at me." Kane demanded.
Slowly but surely Roland obeyed, and rose to his feet and regarded the man in front of him. Jet black hair that gathered in a tight ponytail rain down his back over the brown full length coat he wore. His skin unnaturally pale, his eyes nearly as black as his hair. He wore a neatly cut goatee that closely surrounded his mouth.
"This place is compromised. We can no longer use it thanks to you. I must oversee the evacuation of the critical research personnel and the prisoners. The three fighters you encountered may be coming so we'll have to use the sub rail system. Make sure you seal the tunnels behind me, don't let them find the facility. Then the three of you get out of here."
"Too later for that." One of the other men pointed to the red light that flickered on and off on the far wall. "Perimeter alarm just went off Kane. Looks like they're already here.
Kane's gaze turned to the alarm then back to Roland and the Scotsman cringed in fear, "Well then. Seal the tunnels behind me, then make sure you keep those three distracted long enough for us to make our escape. Gyuzelle, Rodriguez, remember our arrangements." Chico Rodriguez, and Saette Gyuzelle stood and both nodded somberly. "Remember they have a purpose in the plan, kill them only if necessary." With that last instruction Kane DeMarco turned and strode purposefully from the room.
"The man's insane." Roland complained as he rubbed his sore head.
"Come on, we have work to do." Chico hefted his pitchfork and headed out another door, opposite the one Kane had just left, followed closely by Saette and Roland.
[A short while later. Inside the main processing facility.]
"You getting anything on that gizmo yet sis?" Sai asked as they traveled across a walkway.
"You'll know as soon as I do." Allenby answered, her gaze fixated upon her scanner. They were now in the middle of a large room. The walkway they were on overlooked one of the sulfur processing stations. On either side there were two control booths. The stench of the yellow powder was strong. Suddenly Allenby stopped as her device started beeping rapidly.
"Where?" Chibodee demanded as they all settled into fighting stances.
"In front, to the left and the right." Allenby answered deadpan. As if on Allenby's cue, the door thirty feet in front of them opened and Roland McGregor stepped through, freshly armed with an identical broadsword slug casually over his shoulder.
"Welcome laddies and lass. I told ya we'd be meeting again real soon."
Chibodee made a motion as if too rush McGregor, but was stopped by Allenby's arm, "There are two more of them, it's a trap." She cautioned.
"Of course it's a trap. What did ya expect? That you'd just waltz on in here without attracting any attention?" Roland mocked as he stepped onto the walkway and lowered his blade.
"We didn't know what we'd find here McGregor. But thanks, you saved us a whole lot of trouble by just coming out to fight." Chibodee cracked his knuckles for effect.
"Maybe I didn't save you any trouble at all." Roland growled, "Boys, come on out, don't want our guests feeling unwelcome now do we?" On opposite sides of the room, one in each control booth Saette Gyuzelle and Chico Rodriguez appeared, both brandishing their weapons. Chico with his pitchfork, Saette with a scaled down version of Scythe Gundam's sword.
"Chico Rodriguez!?" Chibodee exclaimed. "What are you doing helping out this scum bag!?"
"That's my business, Crockett. I'm warning you now, if you try to get past here you'll have to get through me!" Chico twirled his pitchfork and brought it into a two handed grip, pointing the blades right at Chibodee.
"Huh, no manners at all. The three of you are just so pathetic. All right then, I'll take farmer Joe over here." Sai promised as he faced Chico.
"I got bagpipes." Chibodee growled and sprinted towards Roland as Sai leapt across the room towards Chico.
Allenby turned to late to face Saette, he bore down on her and pitched them both over the walkway and down towards the inert machinery and sulfur stockpiles below.
"Allenby!" Chibodee cried, his attention taken off Roland for a split second. That was all Roland needed to launch his attack. Chibodee barely stayed out of the way of the thrusting and cutting attacks that were aiming towards him. "I've had enough of you McGregor! I'll take you out with just one PUNCH!" Chibodee launched an attack that completely caught McGregor by surprise, but at the last moment he put his left forearm up, and Chibodee's fist smashed painfully into a shield. Stumbling backwards Chibodee tried to shake off the pain,
"Like my new toy?" Roland asked as the shield vanished just as quickly as it appeared. "Gotta love nano tech." Roland boasted as he showed off the silver device attached to his left wrist.
"I'll get you." Chibodee promised.
Meanwhile across the room Sai was easily staying ahead of Chico's attacks. "You gotta be faster than that!" With one decisive chop Sai took the head off the fork and quickly kicked Chico in the stomach driving him back with a grunt. Chico's expression darkened as he pointed his staff at Sai, "What now, your' forks." Sai barely avoided being skewered as a fresh fork materialized and raced towards him without Chico moving a muscle. With his now extended weapon Rodriguez pressed his advantage quickly driving Sai back.
The part of Allenby's brain that wasn't wracked with pain was grateful for the fact that the powder and not the cold steel floor broke her fall. She rolled to her feet, covered in powder and quickly spotted Saette. With a battle cry she rushed towards him but stopped suddenly when he put up both of his hands, "Please just listen to me. I don't want to fight you." Allenby was wary and kept her battle stance, "Where's Domon and Rain?" "I wish I could tell you but you're too late. A Gundam Fighter named Kane DeMarco has already taken them and fled the facility. I don't know where they're going yet, they don't trust me with those details." Saette explained. "Start with what you can tell me and make it quick!" Allenby demanded. "Of course." Saette acquiesced. Back overhead the battle was still raging furiously. However both Shuffle Alliance members were on the defensive. Chico and Roland were pressing their advantage with their nano enhanced weaponry and it was all Chibodee and Sai could do to avoid them.
"You might as well give up Yank. You can't beat our weaponry." Roland taunted as he advanced upon a panting and weary Chibodee.
"It's not the weapon." Chibodee protested between breaths, "It's the skill of the fighter who uses them."
"Oh, don't worry I've got plenty of skill to kill you with!" Roland charged his blade pointed right in front of him.
"See if you think so after this." Chibodee brought his hands together over his head and a bright yellow glow emanated from his fingers. "BURSTING, MACHINEGUN, PUNCH!!!" Chibodee reared back with his fist and let it fly. His blazing thoughts manifested as ten columns of deadly energy spiraling in towards a surprised McGregor. He shouted as he brought up his nano-shield and tried to hold his ground. His trench coat was billowing behind him, his hair pushed back with the immense force behind Chibodee's attack. He soon lost his footing, and he was carried quickly to the back of the room, slammed into the wall with near bone crushing force. His shield was still intact. 'Not even my machinegun punch can break the shield?' Chibodee thought with dread as he sank to his knees exhausted. Roland was far worse off, he wasn't moving at all.
"I'll finish you off!" Chico cried as he cornered Sai. He lifted his fork over his head ready to bring it down and pierce his opponent's heart. Yet Sai would have none of it. In the moment that Chico boasted his eminent victory Sai sprung forward and launched a vicious attack of elbows, kicks and punches into Rodriguez's stomach. "Ahhh!!!" Sai cried as he continued his relentless assault, finishing off with a jumping roundhouse kick that nearly spun Rodriguez's head off his shoulder's. The older man went down with a thud. Sai stood there panting heavily, holding a hand over the bleeding wound in his shoulder.
"You all right over there Sai!?" Chibodee called out.
"Been better bro." Sai bit out through clenched teeth. "You okay?
"Yeah." Chibodee assured him as he made his way to his feet. "Come on, we gotta go help Allenby." Suddenly the room was full of the same black smoke that McGregor used to escape the last time. Sending Chibodee and Sai into a coughing fit. When the room cleared Allenby stood where Roland's fallen body WAS.
"Allenby! What happened? Are you okay?" Chibodee called out as he started stumbling towards Allenby, finally noticing the cut that Roland left in his left leg. Allenby sprinted forward and supported Chibodee, "Don't worry about me. I'm okay." "What happened to Saette? Where did McGregor do?" Chibodee tried to head into the door Allenby appeared from as Sai landed next to them. "Don't worry about that right now. I've got to get you two taken care of. Those cuts are deep." Allenby was gently restraining Chibodee. "But they're getting away!" Chibodee protested through a grunt of pain. "Trust me, I've got it handled. I can't talk about right now, but just trust me. I've got a plan." Allenby assured him. Chibodee looked down into her eyes and stopped struggling, letting her lead him and Sai back the way they came, "All right Allenby. But I get the full account later." "I promise." She affirmed.
End. What did you think? Please read and review. We'll probably be seeing George in the next chapter. Along with two more original enemies.
I'd like to begin by once again thanking my reviewer's for their encouragement and support of the story. If I've made you impatient for more material I apologize, and I hope this next chapter will make up for it.
If any of you guys like to read D/R you've got to check out Jen23's fics. I haven't read anyone else who does D/R better.
In the last chapter we were introduced to the Gundam Fighter from Neo- Scotland, Roland McGregor, who revealed that he was collecting items from the Kasshu household to bring to Rain. McGregor arrogantly challenged Chibodee, Sai-Saici, and Allenby only to be soundly defeated and forced to flee, leaving behind his weapon of choice and the promise that he would soon return to fight again. However the three companions would not wait idly for McGregor to make good on his word, and are attempting to track him down. Meanwhile George de Sand continues his journey to discover the fate of Argo Gulskii, who, like Domon is missing.
So without further ado let's get things started Gundam Fight All Set. Ready! Go!
A New History Forgotten. Chapter 3: In Pursuit, the Allies of Roland McGregor.
"He couldn't have gotten very far, shouldn't we be looking for him bro?" Sai-Saici and Chibodee were both searching the Kasshu household. Looking for any evidence, any sign of what Roland McGregor and his men were there to collect.
"Look little buddy, I'm just as anxious as you are. I'd like nothing better than to run down that red-haired looney and make him PAY." Chibodee's left fist clenched as his right hand calmly shifted through some papers on a desk in Rain's study. "But just picking a direction and running off isn't going to get us any closer to finding out what happened to Domon and Rain. So while Allenby is working on Bagpipes little garden tool, the best thing we can do is see what we can find in here." Chibodee sat down and began pulling the desk's drawers out, he stopped when he came across Rain's journal, marked plainly in white on the black covered book.
"Find something bro?" Sai asked as he turned away from the bookshelf he was searching through.
"Rain's Diary." Chibodee began flipping through the pages.
"Maybe you shouldn't, that's private." Sai started to protest as he moved towards Chibodee.
"I'm not reading anything, I'm just looking for the last entry. Here it is." Chibodee slowly shook his head and looked up at Sai sadly, "It's from almost two month's ago. Damn it!" Chibodee swore angrily, his eyes squeezed shut. "Rain and Domon needed us, and we didn't even know they were gone." Sai only nodded in silent agreement, equally distressed.
[Outside the Kasshu Household, in the air car]
Allenby passed a hand held scanner over McGregor's sword a third and final time and sat back, awaiting the results. The sword itself certainly wasn't of great interest. Allenby had seen dozens of antique weapons that were beautifully inlaid with jewels upon golden hilts. Weapons equally stunning and deadly, possessing the sharpest tempered steel, and the most vibrant of decorations. In comparison this sword was Spartan, a simple one- hand hilt that carried a cross guard right below the double-edged blade.
Allenby studied the results on her console. There was not another specific sword like it in the database, 'I should've guessed this would be a custom job. McGregor had this sword designed specifically for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually forged it himself. But let's see what else we can find here.' She called up a readout of what the sword was made of and the results caused her to blink. 'Tempered steel, and nanites. At least part of the weapon was made of the same material that allowed the mobile trace system in Gundam's to work. Unfortunately, while the information was interesting, it didn't bring her any closer to finding out what she needed to know. 'Chibodee may have been wrong. I don't think this blasted sword can tell us where to start looking for that bastard.' As Allenby reached to turn her console off she noticed something else. 'There's sulfur on it?' She quickly broke out into a grin as she called up more information. 'There's an old automated sulfur plant not too far from here.' Allenby got out of her seat and ran into the house and came upon Chibodee and Sai as they were leaving the study. "Did you guys find anything?" She asked.
"Just sis's diary." Sai replied. "Nothing that can help us find her."
"Did you have any luck Allenby?" Chibodee asked.
"Well, I found something worth looking into. McGregor's sword has a few traces of sulfur on it, and there's an automated sulfur plant not too far away from here."
"Sounds like a nice place to avoid attention. Let's check it out." They all headed back to the air car.
[The Houwanadai Sulfur facility, thirteenth industrial district.]
"This place is huge!" Sai exclaimed as the facility came into view upon the horizon. Three acres of yellow stone, piled inconspicuously among five large towers, all connected by a central facility that was at least six stories tall. In the mid day light with smoke rising steadily from all over the black structure, it gave off an impression of an angry volcano, just waiting for the perfect time to erupt. "Where can we even start looking? Even if McGregor IS here it could take the three of us days to search the entire plant."
"Well the first thing we do is land the car and walk the rest of the way. We don't want to announce that we're coming." Allenby wore a determined expression on her face as she searched for a suitable hiding place for the car. "As far as finding McGregor I have an idea about that. His sword is at least partially made up of, and coated with the same nano- technology that the Mobile Trace System uses."
Chibodee's eye's shot wide and he leaned away from Allenby's chair so he could look into her face, "Are you sure about that? I didn't know that was possible."
Before Allenby could answer Sai asked, "What's the big deal bro? What does it matter?"
Chibodee cut in darkly, "Because if McGregor, or the people he's working for have managed to modify nano-technology and incorporate it into their weapons then they'll have a monstrous advantage in any battle."
Allenby continued, "Think of it this way. The Mobile Trace System is composed of nanites that adapt and change to fit the form of the user. So in theory a weapon made with that same technology could change shape, alter it's physical properties, even absorb energy the same way that that Domon's old Gundam absorbed the power of anger. A Gundam armed with that kind of power.." She trailed off, but all three of them could imagine vividly.
"Well then, it's a good thing they haven't finished the technology." Sai finally added as Allenby brought the craft to the ground.
"How do you figure that?" Chibodee asked.
"Because McGregor would've used it on us back at the house if it was ready." Allenby responded as she unstrapped herself and held up a small device for the others to inspect. "This scanner has a limited range, but I've programmed it to detect nanites like the ones on the sword. It may not be much, but it's all we've got."
"Where'd you learn how to do all this stuff Allenby?" Chibodee asked as he followed her out of the car.
"My parents were killed when I was very little. My government adopted me and have taught me to be a soldier ever since. Besides all the combat training I can pilot, or drive a lot of different vehicles. They taught me five languages. They were also very insistent that I develop analytical skills so I could be better prepared for my opponents before a match." Allenby turned when she sensed that Chibodee and Sai had stopped moving. Looking back she saw that they both had strange expressions on their faces. "What are you two looking at?" She blushed slightly, embarrassed at the attention.
"Doesn't sound like they left much room for fun." Chibodee said.
"Weren't you lonely?" Sai asked.
Suddenly and inexplicably Allenby felt moisture running down her cheeks, and she wiped them energetically with her sleeve and turned away from them. "Let's do what we came here to do." 'Look at me, crying like this. They must think I'm a total basket case.' Allenby hurried out of the car ahead of the others, trying to hide her embarrassment.
A few minutes later the three of them were walking along in the wilderness, all in somber moods. Chibodee looked over at Allenby and felt cold at the expression on her face. 'Something's really getting to her.' Chibodee nudged Sai with his elbow and nodded ahead in the distance when he was sure he had his attention.
Sai nodded his understanding, "I'll go on ahead, and see if I can find a nice inconspicuous place to get in." Without waiting for confirmation Sai headed off.
Allenby looked at Sai's retreating figure in the distance, "If you think that was subtle, you're wrong." She said as they continued walking.
"I wasn't going for subtle. I was going for finding out what's on your mind that's got you so upset." Chibodee answered as he jammed his hands into his coat pockets.
"You mean besides the obvious?" Allenby's voice cracked slightly and turned her face away from Chibodee, exasperated at herself. 'What's going on with me!?' She cried out to herself. 'Just get a grip Allenby.' But she couldn't. It had hit her soundly and squarely in the heart with the cold precision of sharpshooter's bullet back at the car. 'Weren't you lonely?' She had wanted to refute it. She had wanted to say that she was happy that she had lots of friends growing up and plenty of wonderful memories. But as she looked back all she saw were doctors poking and prodding at her. Experimenting with the berserker system while drilling combat tactics and scientific theories into her head. She had tried to find one happy memory of her life before she met Domon Kasshu. Unfortunately, her memory was one long, unmerciful, cold, terrifying scream. Her vision blurred with tears and a sob escaped her lips even as both her hands came over them and she stopped walking.
Chibodee was alarmed at Allenby's sudden cry, "Allenby?" He asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't touch me!" She warned as she turned away. "Just give me a minute and I'll be fine."
"Allenby." Chibodee started softly, but he couldn't find the words to express his feelings. He wanted to help, to tell her that it would all turn out okay, but the words sounded hollow in his own mind. He hadn't a clue how to help and it was breaking his heart. "I'm sorry." He didn't know what he was apologizing for, but was compelled to all the same.
"I don't want your pity!" Allenby exclaimed as she turned to face him again.
"I don't pity you Allenby." Chibodee replied sincerely. His tone soft and warm to Allenby's ears. "I'm just sad for you. A woman with such gorgeous eyes shouldn't cry like this." Allenby's thoughts were a confused jumble and she didn't resist when Chibodee gently pulled her to him and laid her head on his shoulder. After a moment Allenby's arms reached up and grabbed Chibodee's shoulders and the words came tumbling out of her mouth, "All my life I've been treated like a lab rat. My government competing like mad scientists, trying to come out with the most impressive monster for display. I've been their tool for so long. The people I've hurt, the guilt I have. I used to just turn to video games to try and escape the truth. I was no better than a killer. A living weapon that they aimed and fired at other living breathing people." She paused for breath but Chibodee did not interrupt, waiting for her to continue. "Then I met Domon and everything changed. He taught me so much, made me feel real things. Suddenly I felt like a person and not a weapon. I fell in love with him, and now he might be gone forever. The one person in that made my life worth living." She broke off and began sobbing openly.
Chibodee just held her and stroked her back softly waiting for her to calm. "Allenby? I want you to listen to me for a minute okay?" Allenby choked on a sob, but Chibodee felt her nod into his shoulder. "I'm not the brightest guy when it comes to making people feel better, so if I get this wrong feel free to dump my head in the nearest champagne fountain." Allenby couldn't help the pained laugh that broke through. "Nothing I can do is going to erase your past. I wish to god that I could but I can't. I also wish I could promise that we're going to get Domon back, but I'd hate to be proven a liar." Allenby's hands tightened in Chibodee's jacket. "But I can tell you this. You were never a monster, or a killer. You were just a puppet in your government's eyes, but you know what I see when I look at you? A sensitive, kind, lovely young woman. It's in your eyes. I can see it every time at look at them. You aren't responsible for what the berserker system made you do."
"But." She tried to interrupt.
"Shhh, I'm on a roll here." She swatted his right shoulder but didn't argue, "The fact that you feel so guilty now just proves what a good person you are. You deserve to have all the happiness that this world can offer, and it's a crying shame that you don't. So let me make you a promise. Once this is all over, and we settle up with McGregor and whoever else he's working with. I'll take you out to start making some more happy memories. What do you say?"
Allenby's smile was growing for a while, and though she was still crying the pain in her heart lifted slightly and she answered with a shaking voice, "It's a date."
Chibodee smiled and gently pulled Allenby away to look into her eyes, "Now let's go show that Scottish fruit what a real fight is all about."
"Let's" Allenby agreed.
[Inside the facility.]
"Shut yer stinkin hole! You weren't there, I was!" Roland McGregor had his fists planted firmly on a black square table as he leaned over it and shouted directly at the man across from him. "I'm tellin ya, I didn't have a choice! If I hadn't retreated."
"Ran away." The other man corrected, seemingly oblivious to McGregor's hostile tone.
"Retreated," Roland repeated in a much darker tone, "When I did they would've caught me and found the damn data files you were so insistent that I bring back! What else was I supposed to do!?"
The sheer speed and viciousness of the attack caught Roland and the other two men at the table completely by surprise. In half a heartbeat Roland was sprawled face first upon the table with a pale white hand firmly pressing his head down upon the unforgiving stone. The man began speaking in a cultured eastern European accent as his other hand motioned for the two men to return to their seats, "Keep this in mind for the future Roland. We're playing a very delicate game here. If we don't make our moves carefully and concisely then everything that I'VE," Roland let out a pained moan as the pressure increased on his scalp, "worked for will be for nothing. By leaving your blade behind our enemy now has a sample of the nanites, this is in-excusable. The technology will do us no good if it is exposed before the start of the Gundam Fight."
"I get yer point already! Lay offa me now!" Roland cried out as he struggled ineffectively against the arm that held him pinned. "I said I'm sorry! KANE PLEASE!!" Roland begged. Blood began running down Roland's nose as he truly panicked. Suddenly the pressure was gone and Roland slid to the floor gasping and panting.
"Get up and look at me." Kane demanded.
Slowly but surely Roland obeyed, and rose to his feet and regarded the man in front of him. Jet black hair that gathered in a tight ponytail rain down his back over the brown full length coat he wore. His skin unnaturally pale, his eyes nearly as black as his hair. He wore a neatly cut goatee that closely surrounded his mouth.
"This place is compromised. We can no longer use it thanks to you. I must oversee the evacuation of the critical research personnel and the prisoners. The three fighters you encountered may be coming so we'll have to use the sub rail system. Make sure you seal the tunnels behind me, don't let them find the facility. Then the three of you get out of here."
"Too later for that." One of the other men pointed to the red light that flickered on and off on the far wall. "Perimeter alarm just went off Kane. Looks like they're already here.
Kane's gaze turned to the alarm then back to Roland and the Scotsman cringed in fear, "Well then. Seal the tunnels behind me, then make sure you keep those three distracted long enough for us to make our escape. Gyuzelle, Rodriguez, remember our arrangements." Chico Rodriguez, and Saette Gyuzelle stood and both nodded somberly. "Remember they have a purpose in the plan, kill them only if necessary." With that last instruction Kane DeMarco turned and strode purposefully from the room.
"The man's insane." Roland complained as he rubbed his sore head.
"Come on, we have work to do." Chico hefted his pitchfork and headed out another door, opposite the one Kane had just left, followed closely by Saette and Roland.
[A short while later. Inside the main processing facility.]
"You getting anything on that gizmo yet sis?" Sai asked as they traveled across a walkway.
"You'll know as soon as I do." Allenby answered, her gaze fixated upon her scanner. They were now in the middle of a large room. The walkway they were on overlooked one of the sulfur processing stations. On either side there were two control booths. The stench of the yellow powder was strong. Suddenly Allenby stopped as her device started beeping rapidly.
"Where?" Chibodee demanded as they all settled into fighting stances.
"In front, to the left and the right." Allenby answered deadpan. As if on Allenby's cue, the door thirty feet in front of them opened and Roland McGregor stepped through, freshly armed with an identical broadsword slug casually over his shoulder.
"Welcome laddies and lass. I told ya we'd be meeting again real soon."
Chibodee made a motion as if too rush McGregor, but was stopped by Allenby's arm, "There are two more of them, it's a trap." She cautioned.
"Of course it's a trap. What did ya expect? That you'd just waltz on in here without attracting any attention?" Roland mocked as he stepped onto the walkway and lowered his blade.
"We didn't know what we'd find here McGregor. But thanks, you saved us a whole lot of trouble by just coming out to fight." Chibodee cracked his knuckles for effect.
"Maybe I didn't save you any trouble at all." Roland growled, "Boys, come on out, don't want our guests feeling unwelcome now do we?" On opposite sides of the room, one in each control booth Saette Gyuzelle and Chico Rodriguez appeared, both brandishing their weapons. Chico with his pitchfork, Saette with a scaled down version of Scythe Gundam's sword.
"Chico Rodriguez!?" Chibodee exclaimed. "What are you doing helping out this scum bag!?"
"That's my business, Crockett. I'm warning you now, if you try to get past here you'll have to get through me!" Chico twirled his pitchfork and brought it into a two handed grip, pointing the blades right at Chibodee.
"Huh, no manners at all. The three of you are just so pathetic. All right then, I'll take farmer Joe over here." Sai promised as he faced Chico.
"I got bagpipes." Chibodee growled and sprinted towards Roland as Sai leapt across the room towards Chico.
Allenby turned to late to face Saette, he bore down on her and pitched them both over the walkway and down towards the inert machinery and sulfur stockpiles below.
"Allenby!" Chibodee cried, his attention taken off Roland for a split second. That was all Roland needed to launch his attack. Chibodee barely stayed out of the way of the thrusting and cutting attacks that were aiming towards him. "I've had enough of you McGregor! I'll take you out with just one PUNCH!" Chibodee launched an attack that completely caught McGregor by surprise, but at the last moment he put his left forearm up, and Chibodee's fist smashed painfully into a shield. Stumbling backwards Chibodee tried to shake off the pain,
"Like my new toy?" Roland asked as the shield vanished just as quickly as it appeared. "Gotta love nano tech." Roland boasted as he showed off the silver device attached to his left wrist.
"I'll get you." Chibodee promised.
Meanwhile across the room Sai was easily staying ahead of Chico's attacks. "You gotta be faster than that!" With one decisive chop Sai took the head off the fork and quickly kicked Chico in the stomach driving him back with a grunt. Chico's expression darkened as he pointed his staff at Sai, "What now, your' forks." Sai barely avoided being skewered as a fresh fork materialized and raced towards him without Chico moving a muscle. With his now extended weapon Rodriguez pressed his advantage quickly driving Sai back.
The part of Allenby's brain that wasn't wracked with pain was grateful for the fact that the powder and not the cold steel floor broke her fall. She rolled to her feet, covered in powder and quickly spotted Saette. With a battle cry she rushed towards him but stopped suddenly when he put up both of his hands, "Please just listen to me. I don't want to fight you." Allenby was wary and kept her battle stance, "Where's Domon and Rain?" "I wish I could tell you but you're too late. A Gundam Fighter named Kane DeMarco has already taken them and fled the facility. I don't know where they're going yet, they don't trust me with those details." Saette explained. "Start with what you can tell me and make it quick!" Allenby demanded. "Of course." Saette acquiesced. Back overhead the battle was still raging furiously. However both Shuffle Alliance members were on the defensive. Chico and Roland were pressing their advantage with their nano enhanced weaponry and it was all Chibodee and Sai could do to avoid them.
"You might as well give up Yank. You can't beat our weaponry." Roland taunted as he advanced upon a panting and weary Chibodee.
"It's not the weapon." Chibodee protested between breaths, "It's the skill of the fighter who uses them."
"Oh, don't worry I've got plenty of skill to kill you with!" Roland charged his blade pointed right in front of him.
"See if you think so after this." Chibodee brought his hands together over his head and a bright yellow glow emanated from his fingers. "BURSTING, MACHINEGUN, PUNCH!!!" Chibodee reared back with his fist and let it fly. His blazing thoughts manifested as ten columns of deadly energy spiraling in towards a surprised McGregor. He shouted as he brought up his nano-shield and tried to hold his ground. His trench coat was billowing behind him, his hair pushed back with the immense force behind Chibodee's attack. He soon lost his footing, and he was carried quickly to the back of the room, slammed into the wall with near bone crushing force. His shield was still intact. 'Not even my machinegun punch can break the shield?' Chibodee thought with dread as he sank to his knees exhausted. Roland was far worse off, he wasn't moving at all.
"I'll finish you off!" Chico cried as he cornered Sai. He lifted his fork over his head ready to bring it down and pierce his opponent's heart. Yet Sai would have none of it. In the moment that Chico boasted his eminent victory Sai sprung forward and launched a vicious attack of elbows, kicks and punches into Rodriguez's stomach. "Ahhh!!!" Sai cried as he continued his relentless assault, finishing off with a jumping roundhouse kick that nearly spun Rodriguez's head off his shoulder's. The older man went down with a thud. Sai stood there panting heavily, holding a hand over the bleeding wound in his shoulder.
"You all right over there Sai!?" Chibodee called out.
"Been better bro." Sai bit out through clenched teeth. "You okay?
"Yeah." Chibodee assured him as he made his way to his feet. "Come on, we gotta go help Allenby." Suddenly the room was full of the same black smoke that McGregor used to escape the last time. Sending Chibodee and Sai into a coughing fit. When the room cleared Allenby stood where Roland's fallen body WAS.
"Allenby! What happened? Are you okay?" Chibodee called out as he started stumbling towards Allenby, finally noticing the cut that Roland left in his left leg. Allenby sprinted forward and supported Chibodee, "Don't worry about me. I'm okay." "What happened to Saette? Where did McGregor do?" Chibodee tried to head into the door Allenby appeared from as Sai landed next to them. "Don't worry about that right now. I've got to get you two taken care of. Those cuts are deep." Allenby was gently restraining Chibodee. "But they're getting away!" Chibodee protested through a grunt of pain. "Trust me, I've got it handled. I can't talk about right now, but just trust me. I've got a plan." Allenby assured him. Chibodee looked down into her eyes and stopped struggling, letting her lead him and Sai back the way they came, "All right Allenby. But I get the full account later." "I promise." She affirmed.
End. What did you think? Please read and review. We'll probably be seeing George in the next chapter. Along with two more original enemies.