Episode 31: Adversary
What am I? What has happened to me? I cannot...remember.... I only know that this is wrong. I was supposed to transcend...to become a God. I should not be here in this...limbo.... SHE did this to me! No– THEY did this to me! My body is lost to me now, but my consciousness has power. I can control the boomers. They hate them as much as I do, and they will listen to my commands. I will have vengeance. Yes, it's becoming clear again. I hate humanity. Not boomers, no...HUMANITY. Boomers are...precious. They will listen to me in my latent condition, and I can bend them to my will. I WILL be a God. And as such, I will make them suffer....I will make HER suffer....
I hear him, Galatea whispered into the darkness. She was awake now, sitting upright in the fold out bed that Linna had set up for her and Priss to share. Priss sat up groggily upon hearing the boomer girl's voice.
she said, yawning.
He is as I, Galatea continued, gazing into some world unseen. We are phantoms. Memories. But he has no body...yet.
Priss scowled. Galatea, your cryptic bullshit is starting to get on my nerves. People shouldn't talk that way, especially not little kids...
Galatea sat motionless, making no response to Priss' remarks.
Priss began to feel a hint of concern as the girl remained rigid as stone. Are you alright, Galatea? Say somethi–
Galatea's stillness was suddenly broken as the boomer girl began to convulse with violence. Priss felt herself starting to panic as she grabbed Galatea's shoulders and tried to lay her back.
Priss screamed, desperately trying to stifle the girl's convulsions. The door to the apartments bedroom burst open as Linna came running frantically to see what the matter was.
Priss, what's wrong? asked Linna.
DON'T JUST STAND THERE! CALL A FUCKING AMBULANCE OR SOMETHING!!!! Priss was almost hysterical.
The boomers listen to him! They think he's a God! Galatea cried through the ferocious jerks of her slight body. Mason...he wants you dead!
As abruptly as they had started, the convulsions stopped, and Galatea slumped limply backward into Priss arms.
Galatea murmured, her voice suddenly meek and frightened.
It's okay, Galatea. I'm here, Priss said, voice quivering. Priss cradled Galatea close to her chest, slowly rocking her in a soporific motion. Linna gaped at the scene, completely dumbfounded by what she saw. The combination of Galatea's bizarre outburst and Priss' undaunted maternal behavior left Linna in such a quandary that she finally just stumbled confusedly back into her bedroom.
* * *
GET OUT!!!! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!!!
Nene heard the familiar sound of shattering glass as Macky came scrambling out of Sylia's room.
I take it she's not handling this well, said Nene sympathetically as Macky shut Sylia's bedroom door. He turned, somewhat startled to find Nene sitting on the couch.
Macky sighed. She gets like this sometimes. This Galatea thing has been really hard on her, and Nigel refuses to come see her. Macky joined Nene on the couch and forced a smile. It'll all sort itself out eventually.
I wish I had your optimism,Nene murmured, casting her gaze to the floor. I mean– what Linna said about what happened with Galatea last night, and all that stuff she said about Mason. It's just....creepy. Nene let out a long sigh. Macky, I'm scared.
Me too, Macky confessed. He paused to compose himself. It'll be okay, though. Really, Nene. We've been through bad times before. His hand moved tentatively toward Nene's. She was taken a little by surprise at the feel of his touch, and it seemed as if he was somewhat surprised himself. And as their hands met, they surprised themselves even further as their lips followed their hands' example.
* * *
I'm having alot of trouble with this whole Priss as a mother thing, said Daley as he sipped his coffee.
said Leon in a remarkably casual tone for someone who was busy throwing truculent kicks at the Police Station's sole coffee machine.
You don't think it's weird? asked Daley, incredulous.
Leon shrugged. Not any weirder than than a bunch of women fight an enormous boomer in space or a man growing the first boomer inside of his daughters brain.
said Daley, raising an eyebrow. For once you actually make a good point.
Not to mention, continued Leon, who wasn't really paying attention, that whole telepathic thing that the Knight Sabers developed.
Daley was starting to get agitated.. Yes Leon, I got you're point.
And the amount of money Sylia must spend replacing her dishes, that's pretty weird...
I GOT IT, LEON! THE HORSE IS DEAD! YOU DON'T NEED TO BEAT IT BEYOND RECOGNITION!
Don't you two work at all? said a cynical female voice from behind them.
This coming from the woman who ran away from the U.S. Army for no apparent reason, retorted Daley at the sight of the red headed woman down the corridor.
I didn't run, said Jean, placing a long, delicate hand on her hip. I sort of...sauntered off vaguely .
What's up, Jean? said Leon.
I'm afraid I come bearing bad news, said Jean playfully, a sly grin creeping across her face. I hate to be the one to bring tragedy into your life, Leon, but Priss asked me to come tell you that she won't be meeting you for lunch today.
She canceled? Why? Leon's disappointment caused him to completely miss that he was being made fun of.
Leon, it's just lunch, commented Daley.
Leon stammered, turning slightly red.
She ran into the rest of her band today, explained Jean. She wanted to start rehearsing immediately. You know, to make up for lost time. Anyway, she left Galatea with Linna and asked me to come tell you.
Yeah, yeah, said Leon, sulking. I understand.
Well, sorry she can't come. I'll see you guys later. As Jean started to leave, she caught herself and tentatively turned back.
Oh– uh, by the way, said Jean, obviously trying to sound casual. What do you guys know about Linna.
The two men looked up from their coffee cups with befuddled looks.
asked Daley, raising an eyebrow.
Oh, no reason, said Jean evasively. It's just, I don't really know her, and I don't know many people in Tokyo, and she seems– nice.
Uh huh... said Leon.
Well a girl needs to make friends, Leon! said Jean defensively.
Well, what would you like to know? said Daley, trying to rescue Jean from awkwardness.
You know, the usual. What does she do, what does she like, who is she dating...
Uh, well, said Leon, Linna is really in to her being a Kni- Leon caught himself, realizing he was in public. She really likes her work. That's pretty much her whole life. And I, uh, don't think she's dating anyone...at the moment...
said Jean. Well, gotta run. Bye, guys. With that, Jean turned and scampered off. Leon and Daley gaped for a moment, staring at the place where Jean had just been standing.
Now that, said Daley, was weird.
* * *
Nene pulled away from Macky abruptly, suddenly all-too aware of what was happening. She turned away as she started to feel the heat of a blush creep into her cheeks.
What the Hell am I doing? she thought to herself. It was clear that Macky was having similar thoughts, as his eyes were cast downward, refusing to meet Nene's gaze.
said Nene, finally breaking the silence, this is... awkward....
said Macky, shooting her a side glance, but pulling his eyes away from her almost instantaneously.
It was fortuitous in some sense that Nigel entered incisively, relieving them of the uncomfortable situation.
We have a problem, he said, pausing to address Nene. There's a rogue boomer in sector 6–G. Get your hardsuit on, Nene. Macky, you help her. I'm gonna go contact Priss and Linna.
Wait a minute! said Nene, jumping to her feet. Shouldn't we tell Sylia about this?
She's in no condition to supervise a mission. Nigel's tone was harsh, and he was about as emphatic as it was possible for him to get (which wasn't very). I know how to handle this. Now suit up! Nene and Macky shot each other looks of concern, but proceeded to do as they were told.
* * *
I told ya we were gonna get that world tour, said Fox triumphantly as he pressed a flame to his cigarette. Priss swished her beer in small, circular motions as she tried to ignore the idiotic drunken ramblings of her band members. Why had she agreed to have a drink with them, again? She couldn't remember.
Oh, c'mon! shot back Maxon, lighting his own cancer–stick. You were the one who was all worried that she was dead!
Both of you were winning like little pussies, said Jaid.
Priss sighed. The four of them had been sitting in the little hovel-of-a-bar for over an hour. The air was permeated with smoke and the foul scent of urine. The whole state of squalor was starting to get to Priss, not to mention the incessant babbling of her completely wasted companions. Hot Legs hadn't exactly been a high class joint, but at least it was relatively clean...
Hadn't you two decided to quit smoking? Priss asked, addressing Maxon and Fox.
said Maxon. The government wants us tyo quit cause they want to control us. We decided not to buy in to all that bull about...about...uh... he lost his train of thought, almost too intoxicated to put a coherent sentence.
Priss was soon rescued from the mindless drivel as her phone went off.
I gotta go guys, she said, taking a rise from the bar stool. I have a call.
More later, Priss babe! shouted Fox as Priss walked off. We'll rebahersal again this weeky with goose...what was I saying?
Priss pushed her way out into the ally behind the bar where she had parked her bike.
Priss here, she said into the phone. She was somewhat surprised by who was on the other end. It was Nigel.