Chapter II (02): A Trip to Mithril
Akira Tanaka is currently hiking a mountain with his tiny friend, Red Eyes B. Chick, now given the name "Dark." Dark and Akira have been trekking for several days now, trying to cross the border between Neo Tokyo and a place called "Mithril," where there is rumored to be great mechas being made there. Akira was interested and decided to see for himself. One of the stronger "Arm Slaves," as their called, is piloted by a sixteen year old Sergeant, and his girlfriend is said to be one of the "Whispered," a special race of people who have the power to tell things that only governmental people would know and can also bring out dark technology in the Arm Slaves, which can bring chaos to the whole region if it's used by the evil organizations that want to kidnap and use the Whispered for their own selfish purposes. Luckily, Mithril prevents those groups from doing so, and they've been doing very well. Now to get back to Akira and Dark: The duo are close to reaching the peak of one of the highest mountains on the borderline, and are just about to peek over the top…
"C'mon, almost there… Almost there…"
Akira finally reaches the top and stares out at a vast ocean. At the foot of the mountain on a sandy beachline is a base where many airplanes and with those rumored mechas. Mithril. Akira sits on the rocky ground and waits patiently for Dark, who has been lagging behind for a while now.
"Hurry up! We don't have all day!"
Dark squeaks slightly and picks up the pace. He is totally exhausted, but keeps going so to make Akira happy. Akira sighs, lies on his back, puts his hands behind his head, and stares up at the bright blue sky. There are no clouds in sight. The sun is beaming down, but there is a chilly breeze that keeps both Dark and Akira cool from the hot sun's rays. Akira closes his eyes and focuses his senses, trying to listen to the commotion going on below. He can make out distinct voices, ranging from bellowing lieutenants to the shrill voices of younger females who are training at the base. Then he hears two other voices. Two voices that he slowly centers on to listen to…
"…Why do you always have to make things difficult! You always screw up everything!"
"…I'm sorry, that wasn't my intent…"
"…Augh! Why do I have to always be on your adventures! Every time that you say you're taking me to somewhere neat, we always end up going on a trip to one of your whacked-out military bases! Why can't we have a normal vacation for once?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Chidori. If it would make you feel better, I can take you home."
"No, that's alright. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to sound so upset. I've just been under a lot of stress lately, due to things going on at school and everything…"
"It's alright. I will take the blame. I should have known better than to get you involved in one of my missions. I apologize."
"It's okay, it's okay, really. I don't mind at all. I feel like a jerk now."
"Please don't. I'd rather you be happy than upset, Ms. Chidori. Now… What would you like to see here?"
"Well… I was wondering if you could--"
"Sagara! We have two intruders! They've just past the border!"
Akira snaps out of his daze in an instant. Above both Dark and himself (Dark is napping peacefully next to Akira, curled up in a small ball) are three large helicopters, equipped with machine guns underneath them. Akira stands up quickly and stares at the copters without making a move, showing no fear to the large military machines. There is a low voice that hollers from one of the copters.
"You there! What are you doing here?"
Akira doesn't respond. Instead, he keeps gazing at the large group of copters.
"Respond now or we will have no choice to shoot! This is a restricted area!"
Akira takes a deep breath and yells out.
"I didn't see any sign that said that this place was off-limits."
"Well… Then… We'll just take you with us. Either you cooperate or we'll have to take matters into our own hands."
Akira shrugs his shoulders and the copter with the man that was yelling flies close by him and the now-awakened Dark, who hides behind Akira's leg, but growls ferociously. Akira peers over to the small dragon and says quietly, "Don't worry. I'll take care of this." Dark stops growling, but still stands behind Akira's leg. Wind from the copter picks up dirt and debris that flies in every direction, but Akira stands tall and waits for orders from the people inside the large black military helicopter. A side door opens and a young woman with short brown hair, hazel eyes, and wearing a white helmet steps out and approaches Akira. As soon as she reaches him, she starts to speak.
"Come now."
"Sure thing."
Akira motions with his head to Dark, who responds by rushing recklessly towards the open helicopter door. Dark leaps inside, jumps on one of the cushioned seats, and snuggles next to it, falling asleep almost instantly. The young woman looks back at Akira and tells him to go in as well. Akira hesitates, but does as he is told. He doesn't feel like getting into trouble in this place at the moment. The woman jumps into the helicopter as soon as Akira is in place, shuts the door, and the group of copters take off down to the base…
NOCTURNE
"Freedom does not exist as an external truth. It exists inside men, and those who wish to be free are free." --Paul Ernst
