Marla stepped out of the transporter into the Guild's reception lobby feeling rather pleased with her self. She had probably gotten a month's worth of jogging done in the space of one day plus had done enough to make Bernie sorry that he had ever broken up with her. Though having said that, if they had still been together she would not have done anything differently. Now all she had to do was contend with was the loathsome woman with the enviable bosom that operated the Missions desk and then wait for Bernie to show his out of shape self...
Marla's jaw almost hit the ground in surprise when she saw that Bernie was there already grinning in a smug fashion. Almost. She had enough self-control to not give Bernie the satisfaction of catching her off guard, but still her curiosity got the better of her.
"How in the Light's name did you beat me here?"
"Secret." He said grinning wider than ever until he caught sight of her scowl. He knew what might happen next. "Oh very well spoilsport. If you must know I used a telepipe. I was so distracted by your firm ass when running that I forgot the damn things are locked to the Guild's landing area. I even had time for a cappuccino while I was waiting."
"Ms. Decker. Your colleague informs me that you haven't been successful in locating my beloved Ult."
Marla had been so caught up with Bernie's miraculous appearance that she had failed to notice Doctor Montague and Elenor standing off to one side.
"Of course. But I guess it doesn't matter since you are so sure of where she is now. Isn't that right doctor?"
"What? Er... Why would I know were Ult is? I'm just... Um.... Going out for a walk. Yes, that's it. A pleasant walk."
"Well before you go off on your 'walk', tell me, how long has Ult been working for the Military?"
"What? How did you know about that? Who told you?" Said a shocked Montague.
"No one told me but you confirmed my suspicions. We spoke to the Republic of Robot Revolutionaries..."
"SPLITTERS!"
"... And they claimed that they hadn't kidnapped anyone."
"And you believed them?" Said Montague incredulously.
"They seemed more like the 'kill all human' types rather than 'kidnap RAcaseal' types. Besides, the fact that an eyewitness reported not hearing any androids at the time got me thinking. Who else would want to take Ult?"
"So you came to the conclusion that it was the Military?"
"We encounted a Military owned HUcaseal who mentioned that the Military are doing research into the Ruins." Explained Marla. "Now there are plenty of RAcaseals on Pioneer Two and many of them could be abducted easily unnoticed. So there had to be something special about Ult. Something they knew about already. This morning when we first visited your labs, not only did Elenor mention photon research, but the RAcast that turned up afterwards was called Garanz Mk II. A Military designation and he had a WORKS logo on him to boot. And the blast he had received? That was from a photon weapon, like what a RAcaseal might use. Care to elaborate?"
Montague looked almost like he was about to break down and cry.
"It's true. When the Ruins were first discovered the Military approached me about integrating photon equipment into an android chassis. I had done some similar custom work with Ult already so it was a simple matter to add the necessary parts. They borrowed her on numerous occasions and in truth I was curious as to what they were doing so I hoped that Ult could bring back some raw data, but it seemed to be getting more dangerous so eventually I told them no more. That's why I thought the RRR might be responsible since they could think the frequent damage on Ult was abuse, but I would never hurt my girls. I love them like my own daughters."
"Dude, that's a little disturbing even for me." Said Bernie.
"And what did you get out the whole affair?" Asked Marla.
"They discovered my weakness... Body parts! I can't get enough of them! I love working on them..." Said Montague desperately.
In response Elenor bent over.
"Not now Elenor! I was referring to this..." Said Montague taking out the body part in question.
"I gotta say Doc, that's very impressive." Said Marla.
"It is isn't it?" Replied Montague stroking the black chitinous casing of the rifle he held. "It's the blade arm of a Ruins native known as a Chaos Bringer."
"Uh Doc? Why not turn it into a sword then?" Asked Bernie.
"A sword? You know, I never thought of that."
"Never mind all that." Said Marla who was starting to get impatient. "How did you know where to find Ult?"
"I had transponders built into both of them, but Ult's one only reactivated about seventy Beats ago. I narrowed the signal down to the Mining facility on Ragol, but with the Main Transporter locked down after the failed assassination attempt I needed to find someone to help me get there."
"I don't think the assassination attempt was a failure at all. The victim was also involved with the Ruins in some way and besides, Hugh isn't the type to miss, or hit someone else by mistake. I think this is all related some how, because Hugh had a paymaster, someone wanted him to be there. I think Sherlock Holmes said it best when he said 'Every incident, no matter how unrelated, is actually related in some way'."
"But what would he know Marla? He was a fictional character, not like us." Added Bernie.
"Regardless, if I can get you into the Mines can you locate her Doc?"
"Elenor has Mag cells attuned to Ult's presence. If you wear one you can feel it vibrating as Ult gets closer." Replied Montague.
Elenor stepped forward and tried to helpfully insert the Mag cell into Marla's clothing. Marla slapped the 'Droids hands and took the cell off her.
"I can do that myself, thank you."
With that the group of four Hunters left the reception lobby and stepped out on to the Guild promenade.
"You!" Cried out Montague.
Standing beneath a neon sign was a man in a blue and green Hunter's frame but it did not have a traditional section ID on it. Instead, on the chest plate was the subtle logo of W.O.R.K.S., an eagle stabbing a man with a large knife. He was distracted with the Nasca / Zi'Zuku fight but turned his pony-tailed head their way at Montague's exclamation.
"I'm sorry, but I've never seen you before in my life." Replied the man.
"Don't try to fool me Leo. Do you know what we've had to go through because of you?"
"I'm here to oversee an important WORKS operation. That's why most of the areas of Ragol have been restricted. Even without the lockdown following the attempt on the poor Principal's life, the surface is currently off limits to the likes of you." Leo poked Montague in the chest with a stubby finger.
"Are you sure you don't need my brain to help you with that operation? Or are you just being arrogant because you have Ult?" Said the Doctor cocking an eyebrow.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, how do you know she was kidnapped? She might have decided to walk away on her own." Replied Leo casually.
"You mean other than the broken door lock and the graffiti? How about... How do YOU know that she was kidnapped?" Demanded Marla.
"I... Uh..."
"Uncle Leo! Uncle Leo! I got it!"
They all turned to see a flustered soldier merging from the reception lobby. He ran around the group of Hunters and pressed something into Leo's hand before bending over to pause for breath.
"He looks familiar." Whispered Marla to Bernie. "Didn't I shoot him this morning?"
"Uncle Leo... I've retrieved the... Ruins control crystal."
The soldier straightened up to see Leo drawing a finger repeatedly across his throat.
"Oh right, the uncle thing. I mean, Captain Crysalis reporting in. Major Crysalis, I have retrieved the Ruins control crystal, Sir!"
Leo palm slapped his forehead. "Idiot nephew!" He mumbled under his breath.
"You're his uncle eh? Who would have thought there'd be nepotism in the Military." Said Marla.
"What? How dare you? I never touched the boy!" Protested an outraged Leo.
"Stop changing the subject and give me back Ult!" Shouted Montague, shaking with scrawny newman anger.
"Oh wow cool! A fight!" Said the Captain wandering off to watch.
"Well even IF I had your precious Ult, what could you do about it?" Challenged Leo.
"The way I see it, there are four of us and only one of you." Replied Montague poking Leo back.
"Look there she is!" Shouted Leo.
When they looked back he was already sprinting for the Main Transporter.
"After him!" Commanded Marla.
Leo stood on the pad of the Transporter and pressed some buttons on his arm-mounted PSU. The pad lit up, rings of energy descending from above. He had enough time to laugh evilly before he vanished, the Transporter deactivating MiliBeats afterwards. Marla immediately headed for the control panel she had opened up earlier that day.
"Doctor, I'll need your help to hack the Transporter."