As is the custom, before we begin let me thank those who have reviewed the last chapter.
Devlinn Reiko- sama, thank you for your congratulations and thank you also for your compliments for both this chapter as well as for Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I plan to thank you and others who had reviewed Once Bitten, Twice Shy properly in another fic that I will post some time soon. It is still hard to keep on standing but I'll try thanks for appreciating that fact.
Life Sucks, Get used to it, your reviews are always so special with your refreshing analysis and charming anecdotes. And yes, smiles wryly, Kai is naked, I'm wondering if I should up the rating although personally I find this is nothing compared to what they show on TV. Hm . . . I'm rambling too eh? I'll end off with a simple Thank you.
Sleepy Sheep Guardian, thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it very much. You are right of course, Tala's eyes are blue. I had mistaken them for green. However, when I posted Russian Snow I realised that fact and amended it to blue. To avoid confusion I opted not to change the colour and let it remain green. However, since it has caused some confusion for you and no doubt for others, I will change and edit the other chapters. Let me thank you once again for reviewing.
Black Dranzer, thank you very much for reviewing all 7 chapters in one go, my heartfelt gratitude. I hope that you aren't disappointed with this chapter. Sorry that I'm taking more than a month to update. To tell you sincerely, I really do appreciate your musings over the plot and characters, these help guide my writing. Thank you.
Finally, I'd like to thank any others who have read the fic but had not the time to review and I think Redex is one such busy writer. Thank you all, thank you very much. And now . . .
Of Lies And Deceit
Previously on Messages:
Tala gazed into those white jade eyes but he shook his head violently.
"What are you playing at Bryan?"
For a moment, it seemed to Tala that Bryan looked far older and wearier than he should.
"I will tell you."
Episode 8: Of Lies and Deceit
"I will tell you."
Tala gazed expectantly at his ex- teammate. Bryan held that gaze for a few moments before he let his face fall onto Tala's arm. Tala flinched but the clasps kept him locked in place. Feeling the movement, Bryan raised his head at once and watched Tala with a mixture of exasperation and resignation.
"Tell me then." Tala demanded his voice hoarse from all the shouting.
Bryan sighed and leaned away from Tala a little.
"I know you don't trust me. What I'm going to say is going to be a bit beyond this hatred of yours."
The weariness in Bryan's voice ebbed and he spoke with more strength,
"Tala, you should know of the microchip by now."
Fear flickered in Tala's eyes.
"That microchip . . . it causes the pain?"
"Yes, yes it does."
Bryan let Tala digest this bit of information and sure enough, cerulean eyes cleared and focused on him.
"He wants to make use of us."
A statement, not a question.
"Precisely."
"What does he want us for?"
"Assassins."
"What!"
Bryan inclined his head in response. Tala took one look at Bryan's sombre expression and clenched his teeth in impotent fury.
If Borris wanted anyone dead, the likely candidates were obvious.
"The Blade Breakers?"
"For a start. Then later, the other top teams of every country."
"But what would it achieve?"
A cold, humourless smile flashed across Bryan's face.
"He isn't in the habit of sharing his plans with me but I can guess what they are."
Bryan stood slowly; his eyes focused on the ceiling.
"It would eliminate all competition and he would have all those powerful bit beasts for his own. Above all else, the terror that would result would set the atmosphere for Borris' grand take over of the world."
"He's crazy." Tala whispered his blue eyes downcast and deep in thought.
Bryan snorted derisively.
"That's a given."
Tala raised his gaze to the pale- eyed youth.
"How? How is he going to make us kill for him? Assuming we stand a chance."
Bryan glanced at Tala and averted his gaze suddenly. He spoke after some time.
"He . . . he can make the pain you've tasted earlier feel like a tiny pinprick."
"That doesn't mean we have to listen!"
Bryan looked down at his ex- team captain in surprise.
"Tala, what does it matter? You'd rather suffer the torment just for the sake of people who probably don't even remember your name?"
"It's not that. It's not that."
"Is it because of . . . Kai?"
"No! No . . ."
"Well what is it then?"
Tala turned his eyes thoughtfully to the dark ceiling.
"I've had some time to think of what we've done so far Bryan. Many wouldn't blame us . . . we're just kids after all. Borris manipulated us. We didn't intend any evil. But you know what Bryan, they're wrong, we are just as guilty as Borris."
Tala lowered his gaze and found Bryan staring intently at him. For some reason, the odd light in those eyes brought a sudden heaviness in his chest but his speech only faltered for a moment.
"We let him control us Bryan. We could have stopped but we didn't. Kai managed to leave didn't he?"
"Kai betrayed us!"
The sudden outburst made Tala jump involuntarily against the metal clasps.
"What . . . what?"
Bryan looked aghast himself.
"I . . . nothing. It was nothing. So, you want us to defy his orders?"
"Y- yes." Tala stuttered in confusion.
Why had Bryan reacted so violently to the mention of Kai leaving?
"You're being stupid Tala. He would only find Spencer and Ian after killing us. As it is, he's already searching for them."
"So you'd rather spill innocent blood?"
"Nothing I've not done already!"
"But this is the time to change!"
"Hey, I wanted to kill you too alright! It would have been better too! You wouldn't have been here in the first place!"
The hurt that flashed in Tala's eyes quickly hardened into a frosty glare.
"Finished with your explanation?"
Bryan turned weary eyes to the hard blue eyes and shook his head.
"We must play our cards well Tala."
"I'm not interested!"
"Even if it means your freedom?"
"Hah! Borris would never let us go!"
"Perhaps not but-" The pale- eyed boy stooped low enough to whisper by Tala's ear.
"I have a plan to get us out of here."
Bright blue eyes shot up to meet mysterious white- jade ones.
"If you are prepared to forgo your scruples, that is." Bryan added turning away from the red- haired youth.
He counted silently with each step.
Come on Tala, just say yes.
"Bryan!"
Bryan grinned but did not allow his voice to reveal his emotions.
"Yes?"
"Can you . . . bring me a laptop?"
===================================
Rei sat before the blank computer screen. Slowly, his finger reached out to hover before the power button of the CPU, but he desisted and let his arm fall to his side. Just like last time. Just like so many times before.
People forget, Rei, it was just a thing over the Internet. Forget it man.
Golden eyes gazed blankly ahead, reflecting the void of the screen and the emptiness within.
Yes . . . people forget . . . I was a fool to believe otherwise.
Rei snatched up Drigger and trudged firmly out of the room.
====================================
Kenny watched as Rei quietly joined Max and Tyson at the other end of the hall.
"What secrets are you keeping Rei?"
Kenny's musings did not go unheard.
"What secrets are you looking for Kenny?"
The voice was soft but the icy and authoritative nature rang like a cathedral bell in his mind.
Kai!
=====================================
If any wish to review please give your opinions on any element that pleases or dissatisfies you.
Let me thank you in advance.
Porticulis,
1st August 2004
Devlinn Reiko- sama, thank you for your congratulations and thank you also for your compliments for both this chapter as well as for Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I plan to thank you and others who had reviewed Once Bitten, Twice Shy properly in another fic that I will post some time soon. It is still hard to keep on standing but I'll try thanks for appreciating that fact.
Life Sucks, Get used to it, your reviews are always so special with your refreshing analysis and charming anecdotes. And yes, smiles wryly, Kai is naked, I'm wondering if I should up the rating although personally I find this is nothing compared to what they show on TV. Hm . . . I'm rambling too eh? I'll end off with a simple Thank you.
Sleepy Sheep Guardian, thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it very much. You are right of course, Tala's eyes are blue. I had mistaken them for green. However, when I posted Russian Snow I realised that fact and amended it to blue. To avoid confusion I opted not to change the colour and let it remain green. However, since it has caused some confusion for you and no doubt for others, I will change and edit the other chapters. Let me thank you once again for reviewing.
Black Dranzer, thank you very much for reviewing all 7 chapters in one go, my heartfelt gratitude. I hope that you aren't disappointed with this chapter. Sorry that I'm taking more than a month to update. To tell you sincerely, I really do appreciate your musings over the plot and characters, these help guide my writing. Thank you.
Finally, I'd like to thank any others who have read the fic but had not the time to review and I think Redex is one such busy writer. Thank you all, thank you very much. And now . . .
Of Lies And Deceit
Previously on Messages:
Tala gazed into those white jade eyes but he shook his head violently.
"What are you playing at Bryan?"
For a moment, it seemed to Tala that Bryan looked far older and wearier than he should.
"I will tell you."
Episode 8: Of Lies and Deceit
"I will tell you."
Tala gazed expectantly at his ex- teammate. Bryan held that gaze for a few moments before he let his face fall onto Tala's arm. Tala flinched but the clasps kept him locked in place. Feeling the movement, Bryan raised his head at once and watched Tala with a mixture of exasperation and resignation.
"Tell me then." Tala demanded his voice hoarse from all the shouting.
Bryan sighed and leaned away from Tala a little.
"I know you don't trust me. What I'm going to say is going to be a bit beyond this hatred of yours."
The weariness in Bryan's voice ebbed and he spoke with more strength,
"Tala, you should know of the microchip by now."
Fear flickered in Tala's eyes.
"That microchip . . . it causes the pain?"
"Yes, yes it does."
Bryan let Tala digest this bit of information and sure enough, cerulean eyes cleared and focused on him.
"He wants to make use of us."
A statement, not a question.
"Precisely."
"What does he want us for?"
"Assassins."
"What!"
Bryan inclined his head in response. Tala took one look at Bryan's sombre expression and clenched his teeth in impotent fury.
If Borris wanted anyone dead, the likely candidates were obvious.
"The Blade Breakers?"
"For a start. Then later, the other top teams of every country."
"But what would it achieve?"
A cold, humourless smile flashed across Bryan's face.
"He isn't in the habit of sharing his plans with me but I can guess what they are."
Bryan stood slowly; his eyes focused on the ceiling.
"It would eliminate all competition and he would have all those powerful bit beasts for his own. Above all else, the terror that would result would set the atmosphere for Borris' grand take over of the world."
"He's crazy." Tala whispered his blue eyes downcast and deep in thought.
Bryan snorted derisively.
"That's a given."
Tala raised his gaze to the pale- eyed youth.
"How? How is he going to make us kill for him? Assuming we stand a chance."
Bryan glanced at Tala and averted his gaze suddenly. He spoke after some time.
"He . . . he can make the pain you've tasted earlier feel like a tiny pinprick."
"That doesn't mean we have to listen!"
Bryan looked down at his ex- team captain in surprise.
"Tala, what does it matter? You'd rather suffer the torment just for the sake of people who probably don't even remember your name?"
"It's not that. It's not that."
"Is it because of . . . Kai?"
"No! No . . ."
"Well what is it then?"
Tala turned his eyes thoughtfully to the dark ceiling.
"I've had some time to think of what we've done so far Bryan. Many wouldn't blame us . . . we're just kids after all. Borris manipulated us. We didn't intend any evil. But you know what Bryan, they're wrong, we are just as guilty as Borris."
Tala lowered his gaze and found Bryan staring intently at him. For some reason, the odd light in those eyes brought a sudden heaviness in his chest but his speech only faltered for a moment.
"We let him control us Bryan. We could have stopped but we didn't. Kai managed to leave didn't he?"
"Kai betrayed us!"
The sudden outburst made Tala jump involuntarily against the metal clasps.
"What . . . what?"
Bryan looked aghast himself.
"I . . . nothing. It was nothing. So, you want us to defy his orders?"
"Y- yes." Tala stuttered in confusion.
Why had Bryan reacted so violently to the mention of Kai leaving?
"You're being stupid Tala. He would only find Spencer and Ian after killing us. As it is, he's already searching for them."
"So you'd rather spill innocent blood?"
"Nothing I've not done already!"
"But this is the time to change!"
"Hey, I wanted to kill you too alright! It would have been better too! You wouldn't have been here in the first place!"
The hurt that flashed in Tala's eyes quickly hardened into a frosty glare.
"Finished with your explanation?"
Bryan turned weary eyes to the hard blue eyes and shook his head.
"We must play our cards well Tala."
"I'm not interested!"
"Even if it means your freedom?"
"Hah! Borris would never let us go!"
"Perhaps not but-" The pale- eyed boy stooped low enough to whisper by Tala's ear.
"I have a plan to get us out of here."
Bright blue eyes shot up to meet mysterious white- jade ones.
"If you are prepared to forgo your scruples, that is." Bryan added turning away from the red- haired youth.
He counted silently with each step.
Come on Tala, just say yes.
"Bryan!"
Bryan grinned but did not allow his voice to reveal his emotions.
"Yes?"
"Can you . . . bring me a laptop?"
===================================
Rei sat before the blank computer screen. Slowly, his finger reached out to hover before the power button of the CPU, but he desisted and let his arm fall to his side. Just like last time. Just like so many times before.
People forget, Rei, it was just a thing over the Internet. Forget it man.
Golden eyes gazed blankly ahead, reflecting the void of the screen and the emptiness within.
Yes . . . people forget . . . I was a fool to believe otherwise.
Rei snatched up Drigger and trudged firmly out of the room.
====================================
Kenny watched as Rei quietly joined Max and Tyson at the other end of the hall.
"What secrets are you keeping Rei?"
Kenny's musings did not go unheard.
"What secrets are you looking for Kenny?"
The voice was soft but the icy and authoritative nature rang like a cathedral bell in his mind.
Kai!
=====================================
If any wish to review please give your opinions on any element that pleases or dissatisfies you.
Let me thank you in advance.
Porticulis,
1st August 2004