Equinox
Chapter 2
Introductions
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Tick....
Tock.....
Tick....
The beating sounds of the clock droned on in Haruka's office. She was sitting, alone in her wooden work table. Leaning slightly backwards on her computer chair, reading a couple of boring mission files she had just picked up.
Her eyes scanned the papers quickly from left to right. In tune with the ticking of the clock.
Tick...
Tock...
Tick...
Tired, Haruka threw the papers in the air behind her, slumped forward on her table, and started to rub her temples with her fingers.
She heaved a sigh.
A picture of her brother and sister in-law stood besides her.
She stared at it....
……Another picture stood alongside that one as well. A picture of their son and her nephew…… Keitaro, playing soccer with his friends.
She stared at that one longer....
"Keitaro.....how did you get like this...."
For as long Haruka has known Keitaro, he was always a loud mouth, wild, special talented kid. He had lessons taught to him by his father in the ways of the martial arts, and many forms of weapon mastery. Over time, Keitaro even surpassed his old man. With this new found ability he acquired, he was always cocky and unpredictable but somehow always kept his cool. Now here he is, one of the best soldiers in Equinox, and still a little shaken up by his parents death….
Now he faces death everyday, and because of this, he might die any day.
Haruka sighed.
But that is how Keitaro has always been to her. If he can do something good for the community because of his skills, he would do it with out hesitating. Being in a resistance against the one thing that is threatening to kill the race of man......may be considered helping the community for most people.....
A knock on her door disturbed her train of thought.
"Come in...." she commanded.
The door opened to reveal a small, petite girl, with short trimmed blue hair, while two bangs of hair passed her ears slightly, and wearing the standard Equinox uniform.
She shuffled into the room.
A clipboard pressed against her chest, as she held onto it tightly. She crept towards the empty chair across from Haruka and slowly, but graciously sat down.
Haruka looked at the little girl's mature looking face. Haruka has known Shinobu for quite a while now but even to this day she was an enigma to the women. Ever since the day her brother suddenly came home with her, saying he adopted her.
Suddenly Keitaro received a 7 year old sister who he barely even knew about, or why his parent decided to adopt one. This was the same with another.
When Keitaro was only 7 himself, he received another sister. Her name was Kanako. But none the less, Shinobu and Kanako never left Keitaro's side and always stuck to him like glue.
Even when their parents died a week ago.
Now both of them work here.
Shinobu as Keitaro's tech assistant.
Kanako as the head technician herself.
No big surprise there.
Shinobu and Kanako were always great with technology, even when they were younger. Their knowledge of computer surpassed even that of top technicians in this building right now, so Haruka had no choice but to put Shinobu as Keitaro's assistant and Kanako, having more experience, as the head technician. Both of them didn't know how she received all this knowledge, but nothing made any sense when it dealt with Shinobu and Kanako.
Shinobu's personality was also mystery to her. She wasn't as energetic as all the other girls her age. She was always calmed, and collected…… somewhat like herself. She hardly ever talks, unless someone else like Keitaro or herself initiates the conversation first. Leaving her social life a little stale.
While Kanako was the complete opposite. She was energetic, easy going and can make friends very easy. She was continually active and have enough fighting ability to rival that of her brother, Keitaro.
"So, Shinobu-chan. What are the results of Keitaro's tests." Haruka said, as Shinobu took a seat.
"Well, Sempai's....I mean Onii-chan's tests went practically smoothly today. The first rune we tested, gave him the ability to turn invisible while the second one was able to let him wield a huge, energy sword."
Haruka didn't reply, as she closed her eyes and started to think.
Silence....
"Shinobu-chan...why did you call Keitaro, Sempai?"
Shinobu cocked an eyebrow.
"Well we were working in the test facility, and it seemed appropriate to call him Sempai, considering I am his assistant." she replied staring at Haruka's eyes.
"Well, you don't have to Shinobu-chan, you have my permission to call him Onii-chan in this building."
Shinobu only nodded understandably .
"Now your saying here is that Keitaro has a very long sword and the ability to become invisible…" She droned on, her eyes momentarily closed.
Something hugged Haruka from behind, something warm, something translucent.
Haruka jumped a tad bit.
"Yes Haruka! I have can turn invisible and be an Equinox spy for you…" A voice whispered, very closely to Haruka right ear.
Shinobu just stared forward at Haruka…and at nothing.
Haruka smirked, blurred her hand to her gun holster, revealed her Desert Eagle, and pressed it, in the area besides her.
Shinobu cocked an eyebrow, curious in why Haruka was aiming at just air.
"Come out now…" Haruka said.
"Damn it, Haruka! You don't have to go that far!" A now visible Keitaro said, seen hugging Haruka from behind as she sat on her chair. The nozzle of the Desert Eagle, directly embedded at the side of his head.
Shinobu sweat dropped.
"There is a seat right next to Shinobu……go to it…" She threatened, feeling Keitaro's grip around her neck loosen.
"Fine….." He replied, sitting down on the seat next to Shinobu. "Heyo Shinobu-chan!"
"Behave Onii-chan.." She droned, still looking at Haruka.
Keitaro looked to the floor, defeated.
"Fine….So what did you call us here for."
"For an operation that is going to happen in a few day…"
Keitaro sweat dropped at the women's frank personality.
Shinobu gripped the arm rest harder, and tensed.
Keitaro noticed.
"This operation, consists of me, leading a squadron of Comanches, into a Cordanian base out somewhere in the Amazon jungle. That is however only a distraction…..the main operation is you Keitaro, infiltrating it from the back door." Haruka explained.
"With my invisibility no doubt.." he smirked.
"Yes, but hurry, Me and my pilots can not hold out from their fighter planes, that they call Wraiths. These fighter planes of theirs are a piece of work. These alien fighter jets, don't even have wings in their planes like ours do, our Intel says these planes can practically defy gravity by using a very unique anti-gravity engine that propels these suckers at speeds of mach 3 with out the need of wings. There is only one 'wing' that is sported on top of the plane however, to balance the wraith out. Their weapons, are also very destructive. They have the capabilities of sending out glowing projectiles that home into the targets heat. Much like how heat seekers, except for one thing…..their missiles can chase the targets for a longer period of time due to them being enhanced by runes."
"Well, why are you using Comanches! Aren't they going to be totally useless against this things." Keitaro stressed. "You'll get killed Haruka!"
"No….., these are the best chances we have against these Wraiths. The only weakness the alien craft has, is their weaponry. Yes they are really powerful, but a tad bit slower then that of a our missiles, and to add to that our commanches can disrupt their weapon's homing capacities.
Me and the pilots I have selected, are extremely good at evading these blasts of pure energy, emitted from those Wraiths."
Keitaro stood up. "But even so! Those things have shields! You can't lay a finger at them.
Haruka shook her head.
"Their shields aren't that invincible Keitaro, with us evading each of their attacks and we keep at pounding at them, the runes that power those shields will eventually crack. Leaving the ships hull vulnerable."
Keitaro looked defeated…
"Now you two, I have pressing matters to be at, you two are dismissed.
Keitaro and Shinobu, walked over to the door.
Shinobu looked at Haruka one last time. Haruka was still in her desk, picking up a phone and dialing.
A pause
Shinobu then left, following Keitaro to their own room.
The doors closed.
"Hello…..its me Haruka….start operation nexus….."
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In the Equinox base, there was a section named "Gia Wing". There each soldier and his/her family obtained a private room or apartment inside the catacombs of the underground facility, for themselves. Depending on the size of the family they might receive a small apartment with only a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. While one with a big family receive more bedrooms and a living room.
Keitaro only had four relatives, and that would permit them to have a rather small apartment in the base. However, one of his relatives happened to be Haruka, the Commander and Chief of this headquarters. So instead of the small apartment he was suppose to get, he got himself the royal suite. A bed room for each of the four, a suitable living room, and a huge hot spring right in their enclosed bathroom. The hot water being poured from the underground cave near their suite.
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Footsteps echoed ghostly through out the metallic, pipe filled hallways in Gia Wing.
Keitaro, and Shinobu walked side by side, headed straight for their room. One foot after another.
Silent.
Keitaro had both of his hand behind his head, as he walked with the silent Shinobu down the narrow hallway.
Random pipes around them, leaked just a bit. Shinobu just kept looking forward, getting closer to their destination.
Keitaro glanced at Shinobu's small form.
She had a slight frown, but tried her best to not show it. That didn't work with Keitaro.
…Wonder what's wrong…?
At that exact moment they passed an opening to their right in the hallway. Both of them stood still. Both glanced over, into the clear vivid dome room that laid before them.
The view of happy, playful children greeted their eyes. The children of the soldiers who were stationed here. The children who survived the onslaught caused by the alien council.
All of them playing in the jungle gyms, the sandboxes, the slides, that was contained in the dome room. When the base was built, of course children were taken into consideration. So Haruka ordered the construction of a school and a huge playground to be built in the Gia wing.
Four children played with their red ball.
Mothers talked with each other, as they watched their young ones play.
Dads dressed in Equinox armor, or lab coats playing along with their sons or daughters.
All of them carefree….for now.
Keitaro smiled at all the happy families, enjoying each others presence.
Shinobu just stared…….but continued to march towards 'home'.
Keitaro gazed over and found Shinobu walking once again, and quickly rejoined his young sister.
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She typed furiously behind her computer set.
The dim light of the monitor light up the partially dark living quarters where she was currently in. Her black hair blending inside the dark room while her clothes also fit the overall ambiance. The gothic attire, went well with the atmosphere she typed furiously in.
Her eyes scanned the monitor over and over again, as she analyzed every bit of information being poured out of the computer. Her face scrunched up into a frown.
Behind her, the main door opened.
Keitaro and Shinobu shuffled into the poorly lit room. Keitaro sighed and walked over to the side of the wall.
He flipped the lights on.
"Eecckkkk!" The girl on the computer yelped as she practically jumped off her computer chair, scared out of her mind.
The girl quickly stood up, and clasped two hands together.
"Jeez, Onii-chan! You don't have to be that rude!!" She pouted. Her slender, tall body reflected under the new found light.
Keitaro sweat dropped.
"Well next time, open up the lights in here, Kanako-chan!You'll go blind if you stay close to a computer." He advised.
Kanako only sat back down, and stuck her tongue out playfully at Keitaro, before staring back at the computer.
Shinobu did nothing except walk over to the coach and sit down. Her face devoid of any emotional expression. Keitaro glanced over, but shrugged it off.
"Probably just a bad day…"
Kanako spoke up, distracting Keitaro from Shinobu. "So, what did Haruka-obaa-san need from you guys?!"
Keitaro glanced over at Kanako's dark figure, still typing on the computer.
"Well, It seems that I am being sent on another dangerous mission…." Keitaro said.
"……………."
At that moment, everything went deadly quiet. No typing, no footsteps, not even breathing could be heard. Kanako only looked down, and Shinobu averted from Keitaro's confused gaze.
"?"
Keitaro was officially confused.
Shinobu suddenly, stood up from the coach, and marched out towards her room.
Keitaro looked puzzled.
Then….the P.A. System within the Gia Wing, resounded through out the metal halls.
"Kanako-san, Kanako-san, Please report to the briefing room. Please report to the briefing room in Omega wing…."
Kanako sighed and started to march towards the door.
She stopped right beside Keitaro's dazed form.
They stood there, for a complete two seconds. Silently analyzing each other, while both not having the courage to talk to each other.
Kanako blinked.
Keitaro blinked.
And Kanako was gone, walking towards the Briefing room, three levels up……
And now Keitaro was alone. One of his sister going somewhere, while the other in her room, doing god knows what……
Keitaro did what anyone could do in this kind of situation. He looked down and heaved a heavy sigh.
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Two metal doors parted to introduce a young tall, gothic girl. Kanako shuffled into the busy room.
Advanced blue holographic screens splattered through out the room. Most screens containing maps, weapons, or enemy info. But there were most definitely men around these screens. All of them writing things done, some running to corner to corner trying to figure things out while others were sleeping. Their bodies exhausted from end to end work.
There in the middle of it all was the biggest, most significantholographic screen. With rows and rows of metal chairs and desks encircling the lone tech screen. But a figure stood right in front of it, her back facing Kanako.
She stepped closer and noticed it was her aunt.
Haruka….
"Thanks for joining me Kanako…." Haruka said without turning around to face the young teenager.
Kanako stepped besides her, observing the blinking console that Haruka was typing in.
"Well, you did call me…..What do you need?"
Haruka pushed a button on the console. A video screen popped up in front of them.
"We received a video feedback, from Delta squadron, but its encoded. We need your expertise to unlock it…."
Kanako cracked her knuckles.
"Consider it already playing…"
With that said, her hands moved like magic and typed ingod-like speed. Her eyes looking up at the screen and not even looking down at the console keyboard. Everyone around them stopped and looked with awe at the girls skills. Haruka just stared on.
A few seconds passed, and black and white static popped on the screen.
"I'm sorry Haruka, the file was a bit corrupted, so I was only able to receive audio in the file. Should I play it?"
Haruka only nodded.
Kanako responded by pressing the final button.
It was on….
At first only the sound of static permeated the silent room.
"Sssnnnnnnkkkchchchccchchhchchhcchchch- Oh my god- snnnkkcchchhcchchch- This is- cccchhchc- Delta Squadron! We need- sccchhchckk! - crap load of back up!--cchchhccscchkk-- The Slytherians are--ccsckcckckckc aggressive right now--Sscchchkkkkk-- They seem to-sscchchck- Looking for something --shtick!- Or some one!--Sscchchhk-- They killed everyone of my teams mates as if they were -shcchcckcccll! Oh god! Someone help! I can't-- Ssscchhkk-- Please--Ssscchhhk PLEASE!- Ssshhkkkk AAAUUUGGH---sscchhk...........................!"
End of transmission…
Haruka ran her left hand though her long black hair, deep in thought. Confused and worried about the message she just heard.
Kanako laid a caring hand on the older women's shoulder.
"What do you intend to do, about this….."
Haruka only shook her head, and faced the men behind them. She out stretched a commanding finger.
"Pin point where the message was sent, and send out Phoenix Squadron to find out what happen to them!!" She ordered.
A lieutenant stepped up from the crowd of people in the briefing room.
"But ma'am, Phoenix Squadron doesn't have a certified captain yet. They can't be assigned to any mission right now."
Kanako stared at Haruka.
Haruka smirked.
"They already have a captain indeed Lieutenant."
The man cocked an eyebrow.
"Send out Keitaro..……" She said with a smile.
Kanako looked down at the floor, depressed. Her eyes trailed the cold metal floor, till they reached the holographic screen and its console. She gazed at the blue screen.
She sighed.
Onii-chan…
-----------End of Chapter 2------------
