Ah, my happy medium. I'm so happy^.^ I don't know exactly why I'm happy. I just am. Writing is so much fun. I hope you guys all like this chapter.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it^.^
Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, but I do own basically every character in this story. I don't, however, own the song "Right Here Waiting". Richard Marx has the rights to it.
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Two days after the accident, Rainer woke up. He was told to stay in bed for at least a week. He had officials in the room at all times. They were still jumpy about the assassination attempt, especially since it was probably someone in the base. Rainer spent his time with a clipboard, some paper, and a pencil. Some of the warriors would come to visit him and only then would he put it down. He wouldn't show anyone what he was working on, however. After about three days of doing this, he decided to get out of bed. It was late and the officials were all sleeping. Even the guards had managed to fall asleep. Rainer limped out of the room, taking note of his injuries. He had the clipboard tucked under his arm as he carefully and silently walked down the hall and towards the labs. Everyone at the base was asleep, so he didn't have to worry about getting caught. His week wasn't even half over yet, but he didn't care. He was their general and he figured he could do what he wanted. He walked into the lab and closed the door behind him, flipping the light switch. This room was filled with computers and monitors, each one doing something and printing out data. He walked through the room and to the middle. There was a chair there with a helmet built over it. It looked like an electric one, similar to the execution chairs they used at prisons. However, its purpose was completely the opposite. Rainer set his clipboard down and went over to a chair near the main monitor. He sat down and looked over some of the data printouts.
"I've got a lot of work to do," he said to himself.
"Can't it wait until later?" Rainer froze and quickly spun around in his chair. In the doorway stood the three warriors he was glad to call his friends. Taban, Miharu, and Risai were watching him, curious. Rainer sighed, realizing that he could probably convince them to let him stay in the lab. If Gordon had come, the overprotective captain would have probably carried Rainer back to the room himself.
"It's just you guys," said Rainer, his relief showing. "What are you doing up?"
"We could ask you the same thing," said Miharu.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" asked Risai. "You're still injured."
"I'll be fine. I just really need to work on this," he answered. He turned around in his chair. "This whole incident has made me realized just how badly I need these upgrades."
"Upgrades?" questioned Taban.
"Yes," he said simply, not planning on telling them anymore about it.
"Just what do you mean?" asked Risai. Well, there went his plan on not saying anything. He knew they'd keep asking if he didn't answer them. He sighed and turned around to face them again.
"It's called the agent project," he began. "I want to create perfect soldiers, agents, if you will. They'll be people who can't die from age."
"How is that possible?" asked Taban, confused at the very idea. He then remembered what Rainer had said before. "So that's what you meant when you mentioned 'defying time'."
"Yes. It's a simple process. Each person will have to take a special kind of drug that interferes with the brain waves. At this time, we'll use this machine here to alter the brain waves. In doing so, we will make it so that the second someone reaches the age of 21, they stop aging. Their bodies won't age a day passed twenty one."
"Why twenty one?" asked Miharu.
"Because it's the perfect age. A lot of people are at their peak when they're twenty one. They're no longer a teenager, but they aren't much of an adult yet. It's the best age to keep someone at." Rainer sighed, thinking about the work that had to be done. "There's so much I have left to do. I'm basically working on this project by myself. I recently finished drawing out the plan. I need to alter the way this machine works, though. The drug has been created, but this machine could easily kill someone if I were to try it out now. I need to work on it a little. Altering a person's brain waves is anything but safe. Even once I've perfected it, there's still a lot that could go wrong. People could easily get sick from the exposure, or fall into comas, or in the worst cases…they might die." His turned his eyes back to them. "That's why I have to be the first person to undergo this alteration. I don't want to risk the lives of my men and then get blamed if they die."
"But what if you die?" asked Risai.
"Then Gordon will take over." Rainer spun around in his chair and turned back to the console. "I need to get to work now." He was expecting them to leave, but they simply came closer to him.
"Do you need any help?" asked Taban. Rainer was a little surprised at the offer. He glanced back at them.
"You guys are really willing to help me out?" he asked.
"Of course. We'll help in any way we can," said Miharu. This brought a smile to Rainer's face.
"Unbelievable," he whispered.
"What?" asked Risai.
"I've never…had friends quite like you guys before," he told them. "It's just…new, that's all." Rainer shook his head. "Okay, enough sentimental stuff. Let's get to work."
******
Every night the four of them would work a little more on Rainer's invention. Soon enough, his week was over and he was allowed to go back to his newly redone office. He was rarely around during the training exercises. He spent most of his time in the lab, working to perfect his father's invention. Occasionally, he'd take a break and walk around the base, not having anything else to do. He was currently doing just that. It would take a few more days to complete his machine, but he was pleased at how far he had come on it. He owed a lot to his three friends who had not only kept his late nights a secret but helped him during them. He had never had friends like that before. He was really growing attached to the three pilots. They were the only ones at the base who weren't formal with him. Everyone else addressed him as "sir" and "general". And then there was Gordon, the man who was half formal and half informal. It was strange. He had more nicknames than ever now. At least he was no longer called "the boss's son". That name had been quite popular until about a month ago. Rainer jammed his hands in his pockets and sighed. He still missed his father. Being a leader was hard. His pace slowed as he began to make his way to the balcony of the special training ground. He really slowed when he saw Risai sitting on the thin balcony railing, her legs swinging back and forth as she hummed to herself. It was a familiar song, one that he knew quite well. It was beautiful and he couldn't help but notice that for fifteen, she was also quite lovely. Her long cerulean hair was down for a change and her deep blue eyes were distant. Rainer smiled to himself and then began to make his way over, going quietly so that he wouldn't disturb her. She wasn't the jumpy type, though, and he knew that even if he did surprise her, she wouldn't show it. He was soon directly behind her.
"That's a lovely tune," he said to her. Just as he predicted, she didn't jump, only straightened and stopped her humming. She turned to him, her eyes showing her surprise. She met a pair of smiling navy colored eyes, belonging to the young general. "What song is it?" he asked, even though he already knew what it was.
"It's just a song my mom used to sing to me," she told him.
"I see," he said softly, coming to the railing next to her. He rested his arms on it and looked out at the training ground. "My mom used to sing to me when I was younger," he told her.
"What was your mother like?" asked Risai.
"She was a beautiful woman, strong and brave, but also very caring. She supported my father fully with his work and she always took care of us. Dad and I both loved her dearly. She was the perfect mother, but then she…" His voice grew quiet and his smile fell. He turned away from Risai's curious eyes as he continued. "…she got sick. She contracted a deadly virus, one that couldn't be treated. Dad tried to find a cure. He was a well respected scientist, so he did his best to try and find a way to save her, but he just couldn't. Mom wasn't strong enough to beat it. We lost her…nine years ago."
"I'm sorry Rainer, really I am," she told him and she truly did understand. "You're not alone." He turned to her at that statement and Risai knew he would ask her.
"What about your parents, Risai?"
"My mother died when I was only five," she explained sadly. "Taban often says that I look like her, but he has her eyes. I really miss mom. She was amazing. She'd take us to the lake a lot during the summer. She was always so kind."
"What about your father?" he asked. Risai's expression became unreadable as she looked away.
"My father hated me," she stated, refusing to meet Rainer's questioning eyes. "He thought I was weak. He would have gotten rid of me if it hadn't been for mom and Taban. He won't come out and say it, but dad left because of me. He left because he couldn't handle it. He left us alone. Luckily, Miharu's family let us stay with them until Taban had saved up enough money to buy an apartment for us. He's always been there for me and so has Miharu. They're the only family I have left."
"You're lucky to have them," said Rainer. "I'm afraid I don't have any family left. I have Gordon, but he can't even bring himself to drop the 'sir' when talking to me. To be completely honest, the three of you are the first real friends I've ever had."
"Really?" asked Risai, shocked.
"I'm afraid so. After mom died, I spent a lot of my time in the labs with dad, learning about what kind of work he did. I became an expert in science and they'd even let me help out occasionally. It was great. When dad decided to start the ZBC, I supported him fully. I knew one day I'd take over for him, but I never thought I'd have to this soon. I mean, I'm only nineteen. I barely have any experience." He turned around and was now leaning against the railing. He looked to Risai and smiled. "How about singing that song for me?" he asked. Risai's eyes widened in question.
"What?"
"It's one of my favorite songs. I'd sing it myself, but I bet it'd sound better from you." Risai blushed at the compliment and then turned away.
"I'm sorry, but I don't sing in public."
"You're not in public. It's just me. I won't laugh or say anything, I promise." Risai bit her lip nervously and then finally just decided to give in. He apparently really wanted to hear her sing.
"Alright, but you can't tell anyone, okay? And you better keep your promise."
"I will. You can trust me." Risai took in a deep breath in order to calm herself before beginning.
"Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain
If I see you next to never
How can we say forever
Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you." Rainer smiled. She really did sing it much better than he did. Their moment was soon interrupted by a large explosion outside that shook the base. Rainer snapped to attention when he heard Risai cry out. She had lost her balance and was now falling from the railing. He quickly spun around and caught her by the wrist. They both held perfectly still as the base continued to shake with explosions. Rainer's grip was tight on her wrist and he slowly began to pull her back up. She was soon safely back on the balcony. She was trying to catch her breath. She had been so scared.
"Are you alright?" asked Rainer, his tone full of worry.
"I'm fine," she told him. "Thanks."
"No problem." Risai stood up next to him as the base shook again.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"Sir Rainer!" shouted captain Gordon as he ran down the hall towards his leader.
"What is it, Gordon?" asked Rainer.
"We're under attack, sir! It's the Dark Blazers!" Rainer's eyes narrowed when Gordon mentioned that name.
"Captain, get my zoid ready," said Rainer.
"Yes sir."
"You're going out there?" asked Risai.
"I have to. This is my army and my war. I have to fight it." The doors to the training grounds opened and a blue zoid emerged. It was the same one Risai had seen that night. It was the Geno Breaker. Rainer ran along the balcony and soon got over it. He jumped from the balcony and landed gracefully in the cockpit. Risai simply watched as the zoid sprang to life and the cockpit closed. "Risai, you stay here," he told her over the com-link. She wasn't about to argue with him now. She simply watched as the zoid turned and went back through the doors, which would eventually lead to the battle that was taking place outside.
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That's all for now. Now you know a little bit more about the two cerulean haired people in this story. I hope you enjoyed it.
I'm sorry that the last time I updated this was in july. I really am sorry.
I didn't mean to.
Well, please remember to review^.^ It would make me happy.
Bye until then!