Play Nice

Well, this isn't the easiest path, but it will serve. Trowa apologized, ushering the two warriors through an electronically operated door he had hacked open and closing it once more behind himself. There are some areas of this facility that were damaged, both by its previous owner and the recent struggle, and this is one of them. If we can get into the main system at strategic locations, however, it should weaken this place's defenses enough that we can take it down. We're heading for the east point, which is the lowest. I suggest we expect everything, anything, and nothing, since this is now enemy territory, we can't trust any data we had. The pilot warned, glancing at the flickering lights of the new corridor.

Wonderful, so we have to navigate an enemy fortress without even being sure we know where we're going or how to get there? Hyoga summed, rolling his icy eyes. This should be a walk in the park. What are we waiting for. Trowa deadpanned, pushing past the Knight to take the lead once more. Swan's sarcasm was not lost on the pilot, from what Cye could read of Trowa's twinkling green eyes. Something about Barton reminded the Ronin of Ryo. Or Sage. Torrent couldn't tell which.

Why is it so wet around here if we're on a space station? Mouri spoke, breaking a short but comfortable silence.

Probably there's been some malfunction in the water storage system, since this area seems to be more heavily damaged than the others. I think the tanks are around here. Remember, space stations, as you call them, or colonies, have to be self contained. Barton answered, dodging a loose pipe in the ceiling.

Well, we certainly can't complain about being kept on our toes in this place. Hyoga muttered, narrowing his eyes to focus on the far off screechings.

Those bots won't come here. That's one thing in our favor. This area is too wet for them, they'd short out. It would be too much of a risk for the inhabitants if they didn't have some kind of a self-preservation instinct, and Dekim found that good slaves were hard to find. Trowa smirked, but his eyes had a cold, far away glint to them that nearly gave Cye shivers.

Fair enough, but we still have to get across. Cye pointed out, pulling Swan back before he stepped into a puddle. The shallow pool of wall to wall water wasn't the problem. The live, loose cable in the water was

That explains the weird noise. Hyoga mentioned somewhat shaken, noticing what Cye was pointing at and nodding his thanks.

Barton gave an apologetic look for having assumed they'd notice before contemplating the ceiling. How good are you two at climbing? He asked out of the blue.

When you can't go through, go over, huh? But there isn't much to hold on to. Most of the grips aren't there because they're supposed to be, but because they're broken. Cye thought aloud.

Do you believe in luck? Trowa asked in reply. Because the guys I call friends are probably the luckiest in our universe, and I think that if you were sent to us, you're lucky too. You're lucky in a way that says you're not meant to die in a place like this, doing something as stupid as climbing over a puddle. I'm going to trust to that luck to get me over and get the door open for you. If you want to find a better way, feel free to catch up. If not, I'd still appreciate it if you wait here.Can't argue with that. Hyoga smiled at the determination in his new friend's eyes.

Well, actually you could, and rather easily, but I take it we're not going to? Cye rolled his eyes, trying not to laugh.

I won't if you won't. Swan nodded, winking. Cye crossed his arms, shaking his head in mock exasperation.

It's agreed then. Trowa didn't even bother asking before he took a step back and leapt onto the nearest part of a pipe that had fallen through the damaged ceiling.

The pipe piece swung with Barton's weight, and the metal groaned in protest against the strain. Trowa gracefully used his momentum to flip to the next exposed place where he had a handhold. It was a section of intact, smaller pipes. Unfortunately, these did not take well to even his small body's load, and buckled. He began to slip, and couldn't get enough of a grip to move to the next patch.

For a the onlookers, it was a heart-stopping moment when his grip came loose and he was falling. Then he kicked off the wall and grabbed hold of the edge of the ceiling, which crumbled, but gave him enough leverage to grab another, larger pipe. All the while, the metal pieces behind him murmured among themselves, remembering the sting of his audacity. When he finally reached the far door, he flipped upside down, holding both the ceiling and a pipe with his knees, and began working on hacking the door. Then, he noticed something strange beside him.

You can come down now. Cye said sweetly, smiling up at the pilot.

How did you. . . Trowa had nearly lost his perch in surprise, then he noticed the auburn haired boy had managed to grab hold of the cable. It was narrow, and most of the rubber insulation was still on it. Only the end was frayed. As for where the thing had come from, Trowa could only guess. It was almost as if the building itself was testing them or something, but playing to their strengths, too.

I feel rather like a rat in a maze. Heavyarm's pilot grumbled, doing a small flip in the air to land on his feet, barely making a splash. Barton took the cable and carefully tied it to a pipe overhead so that its end was far from the metal. He then immediately set to work on the door once again, and it opened within seconds.

I take it that wasn't what you were hoping to see. Hyoga offered, standing behind the others and gazing at the mess of pipes and wires that lay beyond the door.

No, it wasn't. And I think we'll have to take another route. We're going to go up a bit sooner than expected. Trowa replied softly, motioning for Cye to step aside. Barton knelt, soaking his pants from the knee down. He seemed not to notice the chilled liquid while his hands searched the wall. The system that was supposed to control this door blew out when the water came in. It's a kind of maintenance shaft, but I don't have the tools to open it manually. The pilot confessed with a shrug, standing and glancing to either side to see if he could improvise anything.

Let me try. Hyoga offered, inspecting the small door. Cye came to the blond's side, curious. If only I could get a grip on the edges of it, but this thing is flush to the wall. Swan muttered after several unsuccessful tries.

Maybe this will help? Torrent offered, having worked a pipe loose from the ceiling while watching Hyoga's difficulty.

Maybe it will. The Knight agreed, flattening one end of it with his fist.

Perfect. I think I can finally be of some use. Trowa nodded, asking for the lever without words. Hyoga placed it in the pilot's outstretched hand, and Barton had soon opened their new path. It was a narrow shaft with rungs along the far side. There was no light except for what entered from behind the three friends, and it looked far from inviting. The water sliding in through the opening made an eerie echo that did little to ease their minds.

Nice team work. The Knight laughed, following Trowa up the ladder, having no clue of what to expect when they got where they were going. Cye gave the hall one final glance before bringing up the rear, a sense of uneasiness settling in his mind and heart. He missed the two invisible eyes watching them coldly from within the darkness of the open doorway. He felt them, but ignored the tingle in his spine. A mistake that would cost them dearly.