Disclaimer: Same as before.

AN: This is a long chapter.

Chap. 9

Why me? Why always me? I had to protect innocent people from both BAHRAM's attack and the LEV unit's stray fire. This was not going to be easy. But even still, I refuse to just let innocents get slaughtered, not if I can help it. Life is far too valuable. I swooped out into the field and examined the layout. From the looks of it, the people were housed in giant structures. The LEV's were fighting in among them and at that rate, more than just stray fire would occur. I had to stop the LEV's first, but I can't hurt them. They may not be the best people at the moment, but they aren't BAHRAM either. I would have to use Geyser to hold them back. I could see a small wave of Spiders coming over the ridge and attacking. The Space Force fired back, and both didn't seem to care that they were drawing close to one of the buildings. I moved myself right over the two LEV soldiers that were fighting.

"Geyser. Hold them in place!"

The balls of light fell toward them and the beams that came after stopped them in their tracks.

"What the...? I can't move."

I almost apologized, but shook the thought of as I circled toward the Spiders. My blade extended, I slashed the first one, only to have it bounce around due to the energy shield. Attacking again, the creature exploded and I moved to the next one. But as I attacked that one, I could see that the others were advancing toward the residential areas. So instead of attacking the second, I grabbed it and tossed it at the lead Spider. Both creatures exploded and I swooped in and repeated the action with the other two, destroying them as well.

"No!"

I heard the cries of people in another building. The Spiders were advancing on it and the LEV's were backed up against it. The building was a distance away, so I had to move fast. When I gotten close enough, I let Geyser loose again, freezing both the LEV's and the Spiders. This was more than helpful as the Spider's shields were off, making destroying them easier. But as I was destroying them, a second group came from behind me, hitting me in the back. Now if it's one thing I couldn't stand was getting backstabbed. I turned and was ready to slice them down when my hand instinctively shot forward and sprays of projectiles shot out, hitting them all at once and eventually destroying them. It took me a moment to recognize it as a technique

Phalanx? We're did I get this from?

At this moment, it didn't matter. More screams could be heard and I had to move again. I saw two buildings that were under attack and that were in major trouble. But I had only enough time for one. I chose the one in the distance. It was suffering from more damage than the other one. But as to not forget, as I passed over the first one, I let a shower of Geyser fall. That should hold them for now. I swooped to the building when...

KABOOM!!!!!!!!!

The building had collapsed right before me. The screams of the people inside were accompanied by the sounds of explosions.

'Damn.'

All those people...were dead. Everyone...Men...women...children...all of them. I shook it away. I have to keep going. I turned back around at the building that I passed. It was starting to look worse and the Geyser I had set had worn off. No, I won't let it happen again. I shot straight at the building and raised my shield, preventing them from hitting the building. But this won't work for long. I had to do get rid of them fast. I couldn't summon my Metatron sphere, not without the shockwave accidental destroying the building. And Phalanx was too weak to destroy them in time. Wait a minute. What about the weapon I received from Nephtis? It's worth a shot.

"Comet!"

My hands fired blue ball than shimmered toward them. It hit the first Spider, bounced off and destroyed another one. Alright. This may work. I let loose two more and they had the same effect, destroying one and then bouncing off to another. The Spiders were now all destroyed and I took a breather. Using all of those techniques was a little draining.

"Get out of our way! We didn't ask for your help."

I wasn't in the mood. Not for this. Those people could have been saved if they had acted with more care.

"What did you think you were doing? Many innocents could have gotten killed."

The commander grumbled, "That doesn't matter. All that matters is getting rid of BAHRAM." He then added, "Besides, they're just humans. They're not even runners. They're expendable."

If I wasn't so focused on regaining my strength right now, I would have grabbed him right now and tossed him into a wall. Dingo was sharing my anger.

"Expendable? Say another word and you'll be the ones that are expendable."

Why are these people so stupid? There's a big difference between battle and massacre. But they didn't seem to care either way. These are the ones I am trying to save? I calmed myself. I was angry, hurt, and tired. Not a good combination.

"Vic. Can you hear me?"

The falcon warrior answered, "Affirmative. I'm with several LEV soldiers now."

"There are some more here. You can gather them together."

"There's a problem though. These guys insist on attacking the BAHRAM stronghold."

"That's nuts. They wouldn't last too long."

Vic sighed mentally, "I've told them that already. But they are adamant about it."

'Let them do as they wish.'

As much as I am hurt by what happened here, that's still cruel, Dingo. But he did have a point. I couldn't exactly stop them. They had the same agenda that I did.

"I...guess there's no way to stop them. Survivors..."

"What was that last part?"

"Never mind." I muttered. "It's nothing. Forget it."

I could sense his disapproval, but he let it go. "Okay. I'll head there as soon as I can." Saying that, our mental link was terminated. Well that's one worry out of the way. I decided to contact T. We were talking before I was cut of by the battle.

"T. How did your search go?"

A relieved sound was heard, "Oh, good. You're alive. Well. I've found the unit, but it looks like they're trapped here by the Ars Cliff. Many of them are injured and worn out."

Looks like Vic is going to have some more work to do. "Okay. I'm sending..."

I was cut off again by sounds in the air. Turning I saw a group of Raptor coming in. I prepared for battle, but they didn't come toward me. Rather, they descended to a lower part of the ground. It was then that I noticed tracks. And even worse. A carrier. At that size, it must have at least forty or fifty Frame soldiers in it. The transport took off and flew into an underground tunnel. And from looking at the nearby signs, it was heading straight for Ars Cliff.

I re-contacted T, "There's a problem. A carrier is coming toward you. They are loaded with Frame soldiers."

He swore, "Damn. We're sitting ducks here."

Looks like I'm going to be the busy one. "I'll handle it."

I entered the mouth of the tunnel and shot in, full stream. Since it was almost a straight line, I was able to move fast. It also helped that the carrier was large, meaning that I would be moving faster than it. But I had to hurry before it reached the cliff. It wasn't long before I had reached it. It would be tricky bringing this thing down, but my options are limited. The best way would be to destroy the front. But because of the size of this thing, it would take me awhile to reach it. And if that wasn't enough, a few of the soldiers inside came out to say hello. Naritas. Not again. Dodging them and keeping up with the transport would be tough. But Dingo seemed to have no intention of merely dodging them.

'Out of my way!'

I burst ever further and began attacking. The first Narita was cut down by my blade and the other two seemed to be holding back. But why? The answer came soon enough as the carriers cannons came up and started firing. I weaved my way through the rounds of fire, but it was difficult because the Naritas picked now to attack me. They both swooped in their bird form and nearly tackled me. But as I moved away, the carrier launched mines and set them my way. Why can't it be easy? Locking on to both the cannons and the mine, I let out a spread beam wave, destroying the mines and a few cannons. But they were still firing. And worse yet, the Naritas were coming up behind me. I decided to deal with the Naritas now. The next one flew at me, but I wasn't in the mood to wait. Rather, I extended my blade and slapped in the head. It fell to the tracks, smashed into it, and was left behind. Alright, my job just became easier. I repeated this with the second on, only upward, but with the same results. Turning around, I dodged the cannon fire once again and as I did, I focused on all of the cannons. Letting out another spread beam wave, the beam hit all of the cannons, causing them to explode simultaneously.

'Let's go.'

I moved up to the next car on the carrier. It was the second car to the head. But as I got closer, I saw a problem. Up ahead was a really big beam cannon. It began to power up and it fired, but I avoided it. It was a fixed cannon so I didn't have to worry about it too much. What I did worry about was the five objects coming out of the carrier and toward me. Two Naritas and three Cyclopes.

And the hits just keep on coming…

The Cyclopes wasted no time in firing their shockwave, sending the pulses straight into the tunnel's walls. The waves were all over the place and I was forced to lower down. Unfortunately, that's where the cannon was.

FRRRROOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!

Crap! I moved up instantly, but it wasn't enough and the beam hit my leg. I was scorched, but still there. But I didn't have time to reflect on it as the Cyclopes shockwaves were coming again. At the same time, the Naritas were beginning to move. And the cannon was powering up again. Okay, the cannon first.

I moved to the side where the cannon was less likely to hit me. Then in a rapid pace, I summoned the Metatron sphere. I had to hurry. The cannon was almost fully charged. Finally, the sphere was ready. At the same time, the cannon was charged. With one swift shot, I fired the sphere just as the cannon fired. A loud explosion followed as the sphere hit the cannon just as it fired, resulting in the explosion.

One down.

I didn't have too much time to revel in my small victory, because both Narita and Cyclops shockwaves were coming at me. I had to move fast (again). It wouldn't be long before the carrier reached the cliffs. Gauntlet could finish them off quickly. I was still a little drained from the battle in Vascillia, but I had enough for a few shots.

"Gauntlet. Smash them!"

I released to gauntlet blasts, knocking two of the Cyclopes into the wall and sending them down. Twisting, I fired another blast at the Narita, with the same results. Only two left now. I shot my hand toward them and...nothing. I was out of energy.

'Great. This is all I need right now.'

Tell me about it. The Narita changed into its bird form and swooped at me. I dodged it, but as I did, I was hit by a shockwave punch from the Cyclops. I almost hit the wall myself, but I managed to regain my bearings. Shaking it off, I saw them use the same tactic again. Not this time. I dodged the Narita like before, but I didn't move far enough. As the shockwave closed, I grabbed the Narita and held it in front of me. The shockwave smashed into the bird-minion and damaged it. Still holding on, I spun around repeatedly and I finally let it go. The Narita smashed right into the Cyclops and they both hit the wall. Now that all opposition was gone, I flew up behind the front of the machine and called forth my Metatron sphere. I held the energy long enough for it to reach full power and let it fly. The burst swooped to the target and hit it dead on. The front exploded and the carrier with it. As the massive transport continued to explode, I was able to fly ahead of it. But as I flew, an object popped out of it and flew right at me. Reacting, I grabbed it and it glowed around me. This is...another technique.

-Decoy.-

I swooped to the front and turned around. Slowing down, letting the carrier run into my hands. Now with the carrier in my hands, I began to push against it. The carrier didn't slow and I began to drift lower to the tracks. No! Any lower and I would be run over by it. I began to push harder and my wings flared. The wrecked machine finally began to slow, but I continued to push, putting all of my strength into it. We began to slow down and eventually, the now-destroyed carrier came to a screeching halt.

"Mission complete."

Now that that was done, I turned and continued down the tunnel. Since I was already far down, I may as well join T and the Eight-Heads group.

"Jehuty."

That voice...? "Ardjet?"

The feminine voice came up, "Don't worry. I'm coming to join you. Our runners are well aquatinted."

"Runners? Oh, you mean Ken."

"Yes. I will assist you in fighting BAHRAM."

What? Why would she do that? I relayed this question to her. She seemed...amused by it.

"Why do you ask?"

"Last time we met, you weren't exactly in a mood to chat."

"That was then. This is now. Let's just put that aside."

As much as would have wanted to, I've always fought alone. So I wasn't sure I wanted someone to fight alongside me, much les someone from BAHRAM. Even if it was Ardjet.

"Not just yet. Why do you wish to turn on Anubis now?"

Her amused tone ended, "You above all people should know that. You fight him, yet he is your own brother. The reasons are clear enough, is it not?"

I couldn't argue with that, but still...

"How can I be sure my reason is the same as yours."

"You don't." She replied in a firm tone. "And if don't trust me, that's fine too. But I am going to fight him, with or without you. I'd much prefer it if it was with you."

I remained silent for awhile before finally answering, "Very well. Do as you wish."

The link was cut once again and I decided to contact T again.

"T. How are you holding up?"

T's voice came up, "Better, thanks to you. The commander would like to thank you as well."

Another voice came up, female. It had a commanding tone to it, but it wasn't arrogant like the other LEV commander. "Frame Warrior Jehuty. I thank you for your assistance. I don't think we could have survived an attack like that. Many of us are injured."

"You're welcome."

T's voice came up again, "Wow, you're fast. I never thought you Frame Warriors were so swift. You're almost here already."

Huh. What is he talking about? "No. I'm still in the tunnel."

"Then who...ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

"T! What the heck?" The connection was severed again. I had to move again. When I reached to tunnel's end, sunlight beamed through the glassy area. On the ground was a piece of Metatron. I moved down and absorbed the energy, allowing it to revitalize my power and heal me. Looking outside, I saw that I was at the base of a cliff. Ars Cliff. Then where's...?

Further down, I saw traces of smoke emitting from the area. Moving down, I found the source. I wish I hadn't.

"Oh, god."

Charred remains of LEV soldiers were scattered all over the place. The bodies were burned beyond recognition, so I couldn't tell if T was a casualty. But by the looks of it, he very well could be. There wasn't a single survivor at all. Whoever did this did it swiftly and efficiently. But someone...had to have survived. Higher up, there was an opening in the cliff. Maybe someone escaped there. Or maybe whoever did this was there. Either way, I went in. The entrances lead to a bright cavern. Machinery lined the sides of the wall and gates on top and bottom. I drifted in and looked around, looking for whatever was in here, readying myself for anything.

Except for a familiar, crackling laughter...

"You are late, Jehuty."

Nephtis? You've got to be kidding me, not again!

"You're still alive? Damn it."

Parts of the wall began moving, revealing themselves to be new Frame soldiers. What the heck? I've never seen those before. They were heavily shielded and holding energy whips. A few of them encircled behind their fiery orange mistress.

"The Vector technique is mine and your head is next! Are you ready?!"

Why always me?