Author: Nadz
Email: vegitto02 at yahoo dot com

Disclaimer:
The title "DragonTek" is owned by the author.
Any characters owned by the producers of Tekkaman, Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT, or Rurouni Kenshin are, of course, the property of those respective individuals or companies. Any original characters are strictly owned by the author of this fan fiction.
The story line of the entire DragonTek series is also owned strictly by me.
This story may not be distributed to anybody without the author's permission. However, the author does encourage you to welcome your friends to read DragonTek on FanFiction dot net. Much thanks...

DragonTek (Part II: The Blood Saga)

Chapter 20 – Search

Several days later…

Miyuki slowly opened her eyes and looked around. It seemed as if she was in a tent of some sort. She was lying on a soft bed; next to her was a small cabinet with ointments and bottles on the top. When she looked towards her feet, she saw the tent's opening and the bright sunlight outside. Wondering where she was, Miyuki slowly got up and stepped outside of the tent. There were many other tents around her; she must have been in some sort of camp. In the distance, she saw the endless barren desert land surrounding her for miles. She suddenly turned her head to the right upon seeing a man approach.

"Good, so you're finally awake," the middle-aged man said. He was six feet tall, and his skin was tanned due to the blaring desert heat. Wearing a military uniform, he stood straight and nodded at the girl.

"Hi, my name is Captain Roberts, Earth Military Defense. What is your name, miss?"

"My name is Miyuki. Miyuki Aiba," she said, saying her name as a westerner would.

"Hello, Miyuki," he said as he extended his hand. She reached out and shook it. "I bet you're hungry. After all, you've been sleeping for days. Would you like something to eat?"

Miyuki nodded, and he brought her a chair, some biscuits, and water. He watched as the sixteen-year-old girl eagerly ate. He expected it from somebody who had been stranded in the unforgiving desert.

"Thank you, sir," Miyuki said softly.

"My pleasure," the captain responded, and a brief pause followed. "You've had it rough."

"Captain Roberts, how did I end up here?"

"Well, my men found you a few days ago near an oasis – seemed as if you had passed out. They brought you back here in time for us to give you some good water and shelter," the captain explained with a soft smile. "Now I have a question for you. How did a girl like you end up in the middle of the desert?"

"I… I don't remember," Miyuki responded. He would never believe her had she told the truth.

"I see," he responded. "Hopefully your memory will come back to you soon."

Several silent seconds passed by as Miyuki eagerly drank more water from her mug.

"Captain, this may sound strange, but where is the Tekkaman known as Blade?" she suddenly asked, surprising the man a bit. What did she have to do with that warrior?

"Blade, the guy who can transform into a machine?" the captain confirmed.

"Yes, him, exactly," Miyuki responded with controlled enthusiasm.

"Well, he's part of the Space Knights, a private organization separate from the military. They conduct research on advanced technology and make their own new toys."

"Space Knights? Where are they?"

"Wait, now hold on, miss. I just can't tell you that sort of information," the captain replied.

"Please, I must get in touch with Blade. It's vital… vital for the Earth," she pleaded.

"Vital for the Earth?" Roberts laughed. "What information would you know that would be vital?"

"I beg you; please let me at least talk with them… please," she begged, displaying absolute sincerity in her eyes. The captain studied her face; with all the years of experience he possessed, he knew that people could lie and keep a plausible expression. Yet, this girl seemed different; she seemed genuine.

"All right, I'll put a transmission through to them," Roberts said. "Follow me."

Miyuki followed him as he took her to a nearby tent. Inside, she saw all sorts of equipment lying around. Several small view screens were placed about, and the captain punched keys next to one of them. Soon, a face of a pale man appeared on the screen, his hair white and his red eyes covered by a dark visor.

"This is Commander Freeman of Space Knight Command. Please state your business."

"Commander Freeman, I am Captain Roberts from Earth Military Defense, stationed near Saudi Arabia," the captain spoke into the microphone. "I've heard a lot about you, Commander; it's a pleasure."

"Likewise, Captain. I heard about your heroic maneuver in that area during the first attack."

"Thank you, Commander," the kind captain smiled. "I have somebody here that begs to speak with you. Her name is Miyuki Aiba, and she has an urgent message."

"Miyuki?" Freeman mildly blurted, soon regaining his composure. "Yes, please speak."

"Commander Freeman, I must meet with you immediately," she said. "I must find Blade."

"Blade? " the Commander questioned, keeping his face stolid.

"Please tell me where he is," she pleaded. "I must see him."

"I'm sorry, but that information is presently classified," he responded.

"Please, I must speak to him. He's my brother," she begged, and Roberts displayed surprised.

"Your brother?" Freeman frowned, his eyes narrowing.

"You must trust me," she pleaded. "Blade… his real name is Takaya… Aiba Takaya."

Freeman stood silently. He found the name familiar, and then it hit him – he had read an article about the Aiba family in a science journal months ago. They'd been preparing for a deep space expedition.

'So, Aiba Takaya is his real name,' he reasoned, 'while Blade is the name bestowed to him by the Radam. And this girl claims to be his sister. It fits, because Aki told me about her recent encounter with him – he was looking for his sister, Miyuki. If this girl is really her… does she possibly have the same…?'

"Miyuki, I would like you to come to our base. Captain Roberts, can you arrange for a transport?"

"That isn't necessary," interrupted Miyuki. "I can get there myself. Just tell me where you are."

"What are you talking about?" Roberts interjected.

"Commander Freeman, I have the ability to Tek-Set… into Tekkaman Rapier," Miyuki responded as she generated her crystal in her hand and held it in front of the camera. Roberts remained confused as to what was going on, but Freeman tightened his facial features even more.

'So, she can transform as well. Is this a family trait? Or did something happen during the Aiba's expedition?' wondered Freeman. 'In any case, even if she's a Radam spy, Goku can protect our base…'

"Miyuki, here is how you will come," Freeman said. "You are to wear a homing beacon, which the kind Captain can provide. We will monitor your flight, and I will give you directions along the way."

"Yes, Commander," Miyuki responded with happiness in her eyes.

Miyuki walked past a small rock pile quite a distance away from the camp behind her. She turned around and waved at the Captain, who gave her a salute. Miyuki nodded and walked behind the rock pile to avoid being seen. Whispering something to herself, she soon generated the red-pink crystal in her palm.

"Tek-Setta!" she yelled, shooting into the sky like a pink bolt of electricity. The armor appeared on her body, transforming her into Tekkaman Rapier. She attached the radio and beacon on her armor and established contact with Freeman. With incredible speed, Miyuki flew swiftly over entire countries in the matter of minutes. She glided over the northern African coastline, admiring the breathtaking sight below.

"Huh?" Saki looked up as she saw the pink bolt flash by high above in the sky. With her acute vision, she made out that it had been a robot of some sort. Her eyes followed the robot as it flew into the distance. She gulped down the remainder of her lunch.

"That is rather fast, even for Earth technology," Shinjo commented. So far, he had collected two Dragonballs. The first was the one Saki had stolen from Mr. Matano. He found the second one hidden in the Sahara desert. He chuckled to himself, for his search was on its way. He only had five more to go.

"Lunch break is over; time to search for the next ball," Shinjo said as he stood up and pressed the button on his scouter. The nearest ball was several thousand kilometers to the Northeast.

"Master, do we have to go now?" complained Gecko. "Can't we relax for a little while longer?"

"Yes, we could, but I'm getting a little impatient now," replied Shinjo, noticing Saki slowly rise into the air. "Saki, what do you think you're doing?"

"Searching for the Dragonballs is so boring, Shinjo," she muttered, levitating high. "You don't need me to find them, so I'm going to do something interesting for a change. I'll go follow that bolt."

"Wait!" yelled Shinjo, but she had already taken off. 'That girl is so impulsive!'

Saber smiled upon seeing a pink trail make its way across the Earth's surface.

"Rapier, we've found you," chuckled Saber, waking his brothers from their state of rest.

Tekkaman Rapier looked at the vast sea below her. She had been crossing the Atlantic Ocean and was headed for North America, the continent on which the base was located. About half an hour later, she reached its eastern seaboard and headed southwest-ward. Looking below, she witnessed the hundreds of thousands of Radam spore trees that had grown. Miyuki cursed in frustration, for the plants had spread to every major population center on Earth. A sense of terrible dread surged through her.

"Continue on your course," instructed Freeman over the radio transmitter. 'Not much longer left.'

"Goku, Kenshin, are you ready for any sort of attack?" Freeman asked them. The boys had been enjoying a peaceful sleep when they were woken by personnel and requested to report to the Mission Room. There, Freeman filled them in on most of the necessary details; he wanted them to be prepared just in case this new Tekkaman was malicious.

"Yes," they replied in unison. The two young men had chosen to reside at the Command Center during the past several days instead of returning to their homes. Kenshin stayed in order to help out in any way he could. Goku was there in order to keep a faithful watch on Alena, who had spent the majority of the time sleeping and recovering from her wounds.

Kenshin thinly smiled at his cousin, who still had no knowledge of the heart-felt proceedings that had taken place several nights prior. Goku was happy to see his cousin in better spirits; these few days had given the younger boy some time to think hard about his role the war. Goku considered Kenshin to be a true warrior who had accepted the fact that death was a possibility in any battle. It was not an easy thing to realize, but once accepted, it would make coping with subsequent losses much easier.

"We're ready, Chief," nodded Aki, standing next to an attentive, tense Noal.

"No," Miyuki's heart skipped a beat when she saw three brilliant trails fall out of the sky and head directly towards her. 'How could there be three of them? There should only be Spear and Saber together.'

"Welcome to our reunion, dear sister," sneered Saber. "With the exception of our parents, our family here is complete, wouldn't you say, Blade?"

'Takaya?' shuddered Miyuki, glancing for the first time at the warrior in red and white armor.

"Rapier…" Blade trailed off.

"Yes, Rapier the traitor," said Spear, "who broke out of the process early so she could help Earth."

"Blade, what happened to you?" the girl asked with dread. "What did they do to you?"

"Nothing but show me my true self," came the reply. "If you want to live, accept Lord Omega."

"Snap out of it, oniichan! I know you—" pleaded Miyuki, but she was interrupted.

"I will say this only once," Saber warned. "Rejoin us, and you won't be harmed. Or proceed to your destination, and you will be maimed. Lord Omega can't afford having a traitor releasing his secrets."

"A traitor is one who betrays his people!" spat Miyuki, transforming into her Phoenix form in an attempt to rush past her brothers. Yet, it was of no use, and Spear laughed as he harshly blocked her path.

"Tekkaman Rapier has been intercepted," Freeman said, turning to his crew. "Please do what you can to bring her back. Goku, I need you to stay here. Kenshin, I understand what you have been through, but will you help us?"

"Of course I will," Kenshin replied with confidence. His father had once told him that it was his duty to protect the Earth, and he was going to act upon those words. Ichiro would have wanted his son to defend the weak rather than lament his death.

"You know her coordinates," ordered Freeman. "Now move out, and good luck."

"Listen to us, Rapier," grumbled Blade. "We want to keep you from getting hurt."

"By making me turn and murder my own people?" she countered. "This is your world too!"

"This planet is meaningless to me now!" Blade yelled. With a flash of rage, he flew towards her with his pointed lance in his hand. How dare she question his loyalty for Omega? Rapier dodged out of his way, but she was attacked by Saber from the backside. She turned around to block his lance, only to have Blade come from behind her and drive his lance deep into her left shoulder blade. Rapier cried out in pain, and Blade quickly pulled his lance out from her armor.

'Miyuki, I've hurt you! What have I done?' he thought, seeing his sister in anguish. "Listen to us, Rapier! Don't make us have to hurt you anymore!"

"Blade, why such compassion for this traitor?" asked Spear, looking down at his younger brother.

"Yes, why show such compassion," rasped Saber, "when all she deserves is death?"

"Help me, Blade," Miyuki gasped, seeing Saber viciously attack. The force easily knocked her backwards, leaving her unprepared for Saber's next assault. She let out a cry of pain as her brother's fist smashed across her face. He was much stronger than her, especially since she had not finished the entire Tek-conversion process. Blade's attack had also taken some energy out of her. Her body had been badly weakened, and she was fighting with all the strength she had. The battle was clearly not going in her favor.

"Help me, please!" she cried out, swallowing the blood in her mouth.

Saki stood frozen in her path, watching the fight occurring before her. Never before had she seen such a display, and she observed in wonder as the three other robot-like warriors assaulted the one she had followed. She heard the pink one cry in pain as a robot in red and white armor jammed something through her back. Saki stayed put, wondering whether to interfere; after all, she didn't know who was good or bad.

Then, the fierce red and black robot smashed the pink robot into the hillside. The pink one cried out in a girl's voice, begging for help. Was there someone inside the robot – a pilot sitting within its head?

'No, that's impossible,' she said to herself. 'They're too small to be piloted mechas.'

Saki gasped as the red and black robot, with large spikes on its feet, hurled a lance-like weapon down at the fallen, pink one. The lance tore through Rapier's arm, causing her to shriek in brutal agony.

"We are about half-way there," Aki reported, her face showing lines of stress.

'I have to save this Tekkaman Rapier,' thought Kenshin, cursing. 'But we're going to be too late.'

"So, Rapier, or shall I say, Miyuki," Saber chuckled. "It is such a pity that your life would end like this. We will still give you one last chance. Come with us, and you shall be harmed no further."

"Shinya…" Miyuki cried out towards Saber, who chuckled. She turned her head back towards her left arm, seeing that Saber's lance had gone straight through her bicep, thus paralyzing her arm. The lance also dug itself into the boulder underneath her arm, pinning it to the rock. She continued to cry in anguish.

The entire upper-left portion of her body was weakened due to Blade's and Saber's attacks. Using her free hand, she reached over to Saber's lance and struggled to pull it, but her strength was fading. The weapon remained buried in the boulder. Her arm was bleeding heavily, its bones broken and blood vessels torn. Witnessing her agony, the other three warriors lowered in altitude and hovered in the air around her.

"Shinya, Kengo, Takaya…" she uttered their true names. "Don't do this to me… to yourselves…"

"Please spare us from this drivel," said Spear, landing next to her and pointing his deadly weapon directly at her throat. "Answer me now. Will you come with us?"

"What will happen if I do?" she breathed heavily.

"That should be quite obvious. You will go back into your pod and finish the conversion process. When you emerge, you shall be a complete Radam warrior, equal in strength to Saber and myself. Even Blade is not as strong as we are, for he never completed the process either," replied Spear. "So given this, Miyuki, what is your decision?"

"You know that… I," she struggled to say, trying to stay conscious, "will never join the Radam."

"Miyuki, no!" yelled Blade as he rushed forward, but Saber restrained him. Blade suffered from the conflict in his mind as he watched his sister lay there. After all, he was a Radam. She refused to be, so she would have to die as a result. Yet, he loved her… he still loved her. He couldn't watch her perish.

'She must die, Blade. Forget about her,' a voice said in his head. That voice was his evil self.

'No. I can't leave her like this… She came here for me!'

'Loyalty to Omega is all that matters. Leave this traitor to her death!'

'No, she is my family! No!' Blade held the side of his head with both hands, trying to silence the evil voice that was driving him to insanity. His mind was completely divided. It was in torment. He felt the shreds of humanity persistently coming back to him, only to be silenced repeatedly by the evil voice.

"She chose it to be this way, brother. Do not interfere!" Saber warned. Spear moved his weapon closer to Miyuki's throat. Just before making his final stroke, a ball of light appeared and knocked the spear out of his hand; the weapon clattered harmlessly onto the ground several meters away. The four Tekkamen turned their heads towards the source of the blast. They were surprised to see a slim but shapely girl standing next to the nearby woods, wearing black jeans and a jacket with a strange logo on its sleeve.

"Stop this now," the girl ordered Spear, who laughed in amusement.

"I don't know what trick you pulled there, but what makes you think that you can stop me?"

"Let the girl robot go!" she demanded, walking towards Miyuki. Spear soon stepped in her way and stared down into her face, flashing his red eye. She returned the glance with a wicked smirk.

"We're not robots," called Saber, feeling insulted. "We are Tekkamen warriors – flesh and blood on the inside, but machine on the outside. You won't be able to do anything to our protective armor. But I can't say the same for your fragile skin."

Blade, who had almost gone over the edge from watching Miyuki's suffering, calmed down and lowered down to the ground next to his sister. Saber followed suit but landed near the new girl.

"Now tell us who you are," demanded Saber, clearly annoyed, "you meddling brat."

"If you're going to insult me," she smirked as she rubbed her fists, "I'll send you all to hell."

Before she could react, a vexed Spear slammed a backhand fist in her face. The girl groaned in pain as she fell on her back several feet away. She had been too cocky, thinking that she could take these three on by herself. On the other hand, she had to stop them from killing the helpless one.

"Don't fight them!" Miyuki called out as the other girl got back on her feet. Saki rubbed her face and felt the blood that trickled from her freshly cut cheek. Spear used the time to retrieve his weapon and head towards the girl. Saber only chuckled.

'Almost there,'thought Freeman, monitoring the coordinates of the Blue Earth's flight path.