Disclaimer & stuff: …
Note: For those keeping up with Star Crossed Enemies…we have not forgotten and are in the process of updating. My brother's been really busy and I sorta have too but there will be more…oh yes, there will be more.
Keep this in mind while reading…for me to call a guy a teddy bear means that they are huggable and the kind of guy you can love without being in love with.
Inside My Heart
Chapter 10
Gates cursed under his breath. The upgrades to the cruiser had taken longer then he had hoped. Half an hour in fact, but to him half an hour seemed like a life time.
When everything was set he sent the communication to Marietta to be ready. He was finally ready for take off. His heart was already racing as the cruiser left the ground. Yeah he could fight, but he was more a bookworm/geek. He never imagined himself as the one to fly off on his own in a horrific rescue attempt.
There was no stopping now. Not that he even considered giving up. As the ship broke the atmosphere, Gates closed his eyes and reached out to find Sashia. Through all the events, feeling her in his conscious had been hard. He hoped that being in space would help their connection.
It did, but it didn't relieve him much. She was fighting. He knew she could fight, but the fact she was aboard a space craft with nowhere to run if things got bad, was very unsettling to him.
His fingers went to work on the consol. If his modifications worked as he hoped, he would be on the ship and on his way to finding Sashia within two hours max.
After he got her out of there, he would be sure to resume an argument they had had a year ago. She had tried to convince him he was wasting his whole summer vacation. For once, she might be wrong about those classes he took that summer. Those classes in Advanced Mechanical Technology might have been the best thing he had done.
"Man, I really am a geek."
He smiled. At least this geek was going to do something more then just sit still and wait for someone else to fix the problem. This geek was going to go and kick butt!
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Sashia felt the brief contact Gates had made. Her heart jumped. She could tell he was close…too close. She lost her focus on the fight as a second's worry interrupted her.
That second was all it took for a blow to catch her in the back, knocking her off balance. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, she was knocked into Albel who had just turned in her direction. Reflexes quick, he caught her and immediately pushed her back at the man who had taken her by surprise.
"Watch what you're doing, fool!" he growled before attacking his next victim.
She hit the man with her back, causing him to loose his balance. Instinctively, she caught her footing and turned to face the man. The man had stumbled back but not down. She quickly kicked him in the stomach and followed up with a double punch to the face. This time he went down and vanished.
Sashia turned slightly, spotting Nel. "When we get done here, Nel," she yelled. "I think I'll help you kick Albel's ass!"
Nel had to restrain from laughter as she swept the feet from under another attacker. When she was done, she moved closer to the girl. "Okay Sashia, know any aura attacks that cover a wide spectrum?"
"A few."
"What you say we end this?"
Sashia smirked. "Let's do it."
Sashia and Nel made a quick scan of the area. Still, more men were coming around the corner but at a slower ratio. Albel, Adray, and Peppita were grouped on one side. The arrangement couldn't have been better.
Nel charged her aura as Sashia took down another man who had made it past the trio. "Divine Wrath!" Nel moved as if she still wielded her dagger, sending her Divine Wrath forward.
Sashia acted quickly. "Amplifying Chi!" Her aura twisted around her and leapt from her fingers and into Nel's Divine Wrath, intensifying the effects of the purple hurricane.
The energy waves sent eliminated all but a handful of soldiers. The act had caused a distraction. Most of the remaining men stopped for a moment, as did Adray and Peppita.
Albel, on the other hand, never lost a beat. He effectively took out two of the men before anyone could recover from the shock. "Fools! The enemy has not been beat. Stop now and die if you wish."
Nel simply leaned her weight on one foot and crossed her arms in front of her. Sashia put one hand on her hip and shook her head. Both watched as Adray and Peppita took care of the remaining few men.
As tired as she was, Peppita managed to skip over to the other two females. "Wow! How'd ya do that?"
Nel briefly explained their recent discovery.
Adray looked amused. "Good. Now I suggest we get going before more show up."
Albel eyeballed the two. He frowned. "Bah." With that he turned to walk away.
Sashia sighed. Mirage had told her and Gates all about the different personalities of the group of heros, but she never imagined he could be so agitating.
"Don't worry, Sashia," Nel spoke softly, but loud enough for the rest to hear. "He's just jealous that a couple of females took out more then he did."
Albel snapped his head back and snarled at them.
Sashia laughed. "Well, at least we're not the ones bleeding." She took a few steps up to Albel who was still giving her his death glare. "I suppose you don't want any help with that?"
"And what exactly could you do. You wear those infernal bands, don't you?"
Sashia looked at him and batted her eyes. "I can do more then you give me credit for."
Albel turned sharply away from her. He didn't look back as he disappeared around the corner.
Sashia chuckled and looked back at Nel, who was also chuckling. "Come on, I guess we should be going."
Nel nodded. She knew immediately she liked the girl. She had guts and a sarcastic streak. It wasn't until after they had resumed their walk that Sashia's words came back to Nel. Had Albel really hurt her feelings with the kiss? Why was it that he sparked her anger quicker then anyone else could?
One thing for sure, after they were out of this mess, Nel was going to have a talk with him.
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Sophia watched the two Klausians fight. They moved as if dancing. Each was fluent with the other. It was like they were both an extension of the other. Like they shared one though process. Cliff would knock a man down and Mirage would finish him off; or Mirage would knock a man down and Cliff would finish him off.
The way they fought together was strangely beautiful. For the first time, Sophia thought about how good they looked together. She had like Mirage the moment she had first met her, though she didn't know what to think of Cliff. But after a while, she came to see Cliff as a big teddy bear.
It suddenly struck her as to how good they were together. She made a mental note to talk to Mirage when this was over. She would see if there was anything there and if not she would ask why.
Once again her thoughts were interrupted by the fight. She had to dodge quickly to avoid gun fire.
Mirage and Cliff stood practically back to back. Mirage felt the return of an exhilaration she had forgotten about. Just having Cliff there feed her with new hope and will to strive forward. She didn't have to think about where he was as she fought. She knew how to respond to him and he knew how to respond to her. Thanks to this, Sophia and Maria had to do little fighting of their own.
But the men kept pouring through the door. Mirage wondered if there would be an end to them. She wondered how long they could keep this fight going and still make it out avoiding serious injury.
At this pace, they would be overtaken by fatigue before the fight was over. The four of them had done a considerable amount of work. The men who entered in the door were fresh to the fight. It wouldn't be long before one of them got tired and as a result got hurt.
Mirage took a quick glance at the door frame and adjoining ceiling. "Cliff…time for a shake-rattle-'n roll."
A smile broadened across Cliff's face. "Sophia, Maria…step back."
At his command, both girls took a step back and watched at Mirage and Cliff literally pushed the men who were coming in back out the door.
"Earth Glaive!" Mirage sent spikes of dirt up and out the door.
As the spikes rose, Cliff jumped. "Hammer of Might!"
Cliff's energy wave weaved with the spikes, causing every man in its path to vanish on contact.
Taking no time to breathe both jumped back and toward the two girls. The attack had taken care of all but three men, but those men were not prepared for what happened next. As a response to the attack, the wall around the door collapsed, taking a section of the ceiling with it. The debris fell and finished the job.
"That was cute." Maria smiled at the two. She had spent a lot of time with them but had never seen that move before.
Cliff chuckled as he stood and brushed himself off. "Yeah. Mirage shakes, I rattle and then we both roll."
He looked over at Mirage who was also brushing herself off. It seemed like ages since they had done that. He felt a rush. She was his. He was hers. Life would be great, if not for the current situation.
"You okay, Mirage?"
She looked at him and smiled. "Yeah."
"Hate to break this up," Maria interrupted. "But I think we had better get out of here."
Mirage nodded. She scanned the area of destruction. Things had gone precisely as she had planned. Yes the floor was covered with debris, but the way out was clear.
The four left the room and resumed their walk. Back in their previous formation, Sophia took note of how close the two Klausians walked to each other. She smiled.
Any closer, Sophia thought, and they would be holding hands.
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Humans fear the unknown. This is a known fact. Children fear the dark because they can not see what is there. Adults fear change because they can not predict the future. Unlike these fears, the feeling that twisted in Fayt's gut was raw terror.
Luther sat still, a placid expression pasted on his face. His blue eyes seemed locked on an invisible point over Fayt's head. His eyes…so blue…then the blue changed. The black of his pupils swallowed the blue. His mouth twitched.
Then his whole body jerked. His back came abruptly off the chair. His feet shot under the chair as his arms stretched out to the sides. He closed his eyes as the tremors running through his body subsided.
When he opened his eyes, they were still black. He stood up, pulling the cables from the back of his head. Then he laughed. Terror shot deeper into Fayt at the sound of his shrill digital voice. He no longer sounded like Luther…he sounded like a machine faking a human voice.
He locked his lifeless eyes on the restrained boy. "Yes. I know what must be done."
There was no emotion in his voice. His monotone sent a chill down Fayt's back.
"Just one second…" His body was overcome with tremors, but not as violent at before. Then he stopped.
Luther stopped all motion. "Transfer complete," Sadie said before walking to the door and opening it. "This way please."
Luther lifted his head in her direction. As he walked to the door, he made no noise. Just before the door closed behind him, Fayt blinked and saw another glimpse of binary. A series of ones and zeros races across the back of his eyelids.
This was the same vision he had seen just before waking after the battle with Luther three years ago. In a second, the short time from where his thoughts ended and Sophia's voice started, he had seen this binary code.
And it was unsettling.
He tried to get the number out of his head, but when he closed his eyes all he saw was that number.
1010011010
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Finally, the ship was in view. Gates' heart raced with anticipation. This was it, time to test his mechanical skills.
He remained a safe distance as he circled the ship. Using both visual and technical information, he sought his best way in. He wanted to preserve the cruiser if possible. That and he really didn't want to die.
He circled the ship twice, using two different angles to be sure he scanned the whole thing. Things weren't looking so good. He didn't know how to get on without loosing the cruiser.
He had almost completed his third circle around the ship when he spotted his best way in. Near the rear engine was a 'cubby hole' called the access panel. This was the area used by mechanics to repair engines from outside the ship. The access panel is rarely used since most mechanics prefer to either remove the engine for repairs or do repairs internally.
Gates studied the panel. He typed quickly on the consol. During the investigation Marietta's crew had performed, they had turned up some interesting information. When Luther's ship fired on another vessel, it was possible to transport to his ship but that window for transport was extremely small.
The cruiser's computer system quickly ran through over a thousand scenarios. All 'ifs' were denied but one. The computer screen flickered and presented Gates with the data.
504,702.35 : 1
There were over five hundred thousand reasons why he should not try. Only one shot in a huge number that he would succeed and board the ship.
"Possible if not probable," Gates spoke aloud. He smiled. "Sashia would laugh at the odds."
It looked like he was going to loose the cruiser after all. It was a shame too. He had modified the small vessel and now he couldn't find a way aboard using any of his modifications.
He was scared. Who wouldn't be? But determination was his captor and he could not disobey. He entered in the commands and set the cruiser to autopilot.
With in seconds the screen flashed a confirmation. Gates quickly left his seat and headed to the transporter. It was now or never.
The small cruiser changed course and hurried forward toward the massive ship. Gates held his breath. He was good at math, there was no doubt, but he couldn't help to wonder if his calculations might have been off. If they were off by more then a small value, then he didn't have to worry about it – or anything since he would be blown up with the ship.
Gates crouched and waited. He felt the cruiser shake from being hit. Before he could blink, the cruiser dissolved.
He stood up and looked around. He almost couldn't believe it. He had made it onto the ship. He was now in the access panel. He blinked, forcing his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Now all he had to do was find the door leading to the ships interior and avoid the door leading to the exterior. The bad thing was - they both looked the same.
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They had spent some time walking. Each expected trouble around every corner. They had traveled down hall after hall and had even found transports to other levels.
"Ah! This level looks just like the last one," Sophia puffed.
Maria nodded in agreement. "This is getting repetitive."
Cliff turned to the dual and shrugged his shoulders. "Anyone got any better ideas?"
"I wish," Sophia answered. "Anything would beat being on this death trap."
"Well then," Mirage chimed in. "Let's just keep going."
The three nodded. What else could they do right now? There just seemed to be no end.
Mirage tried to shrug off her agreement with the two girls. They needed to find a way off the ship. She had hoped they could come across the bridge or control room. Somewhere they could try and take charge. So far, luck was not on their side.
As they walked, Cliff noticed she was distant. He instinctively put his arm around her.
She looked up at him and smiled. "That evident huh?"
He smiled back. "Don't forget how long I've known you. I can tell when you are lost in thought."
She leaned into him as they walked. She didn't lean often on anyone. She'd always been able to take care of her own problems. But right now it was good to have someone to lean on. Someone who was there for her when she needed. Someone she could call hers.
Cliff stopped suddenly, halting Mirage with him. They were approaching another corner. Mirage lifter her head, keeping herself close to Cliff.
Noises were coming from around the corner. Someone was approaching. No, not someone, there were many foot steps.
Mirage looked up at Cliff. He nodded, his arm around her loosened. He didn't let go, but instead gave her a hurried kiss. His lips touched hers briefly. Then he let go and readied himself for another fight.
Mirage turned around to their comrades. Sophia gave her a half smile and Maria simply waited for orders. Mirage nodded. Since she had started issuing orders during the last fight, she had become the unspoken leader.
Mirage motioned for the girls to move closer to the wall. She followed her own command, leading Cliff with her. He gave her arm a light squeeze. She patted his hand but refused to give in to his silent plea. She knew he would prefer to be in front and closer to the corner. He had always been protective of her. But this time, she wasn't going to give in to him.
She slowly inched her way closer. Her ears were perked and waiting for any sound. Finally, she heard something other then footsteps. She let out a long held breath.
"I think we're walking in circles. Hey, you hear me Mr. Hardhead?"
That voice was familiar. A voice Mirage hadn't heard in three years.
"Shut it maggot brat."
"Hey, hold on there. She didn't mean any harm."
"Yeah. Listen to Adray. Besides, who made you leader anyway?'
"Oh? And you perhaps have a better idea, Zelpher?"
That was all Mirage needed. She left the wall and rounded the corner. She would have laughed at the group if not for the constant fear and need to be off the ship. She took a quick second to study the scene in front of her.
Albel stared down at Peppita, his arms crossed as if he were holding then down from strangling her. Adray stood at Peppita's side, ready to defend her if needed. Nel stood between Albel and Peppita, waving her hand slightly at Albel.
"Well, good to see the crew back together again."
All four stopped and turned in Mirage's direction. Before anyone could react, Sashia came from around the group. She had been behind Adray and Mirage hadn't noticed her until now. Sashia sprinted to her and threw her arms around her.
"Mirage! It's good to see you again." After they hugged, Sashia stepped back. "Oh, hiya Cliff."
"Humph. I see the worm got you too."
"Actually," Sophia spoke as she rounded the corner. "He got me and Maria. Cliff and Mirage got on the ship by themselves."
"Does this mean you know a way off?" Nel asked.
Cliff scratched his head. "Nope. Got here by accident really."
"Then how do we get off this thing?"
"I can remedy that problem."
All heads turned to the new voice. There, in the hallway was Luther and a group of approximately ten men.
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Blue Afterthoughts: Anyone here know binary? I do! But just incase you don't then you can take that number Fayt saw…pull up the calculator on the computer, change the view to scientific, check 'Bin', type in 1010011010 then check 'Dec'. So there is a reason I chose that number…and before anyone gets any bad ideas…I don't follow that number what so ever! Actually I follow 1100001001. :)
And no, Sashia is not hitting on Albel…she's just got a sarcastic side and loves to try and push buttons on anyone who's rubbed her the wrong way. And I want to say sorry if all the mechanical stuff isn't right...I don't know mechanics-I'm more into electronical stuff and that's what I'm giong to pursue in the future.
Is it just me, or do my stories get longer and longer. :)
Blue Reviews:
Macky: I saw your review and all I could say was "You got to love Macky." Thanks for the constant support.
IceBlueWings: Sophia is one of my favorite characters too. I wish there wasn't so much bashing on her. There will be more on Luther in the next chapter. You are real close…but there's a little more to it.
BlueTrillium: I just tried to imagine what someone like Sophia would do after all that…and then I was playing the game again and got the idea from the conversation she had with Fayt at the beginning of the game (about he should out do his dad and she would out do his mom). Gates, at least, is still all right – but I can't seem to keep him that way. He's got a role to play coming up so I have to find ways to stall him. I'm glad I have another well-written fight scene, those give me problems. And those darn word swaps! Hahahaha they just won't leave me alone! The Inhibitor001…hehehe…I do so love to play with words and it does stop something, but that's all I'll say about that. A better explanation is coming up (probably next chapter).
The Crazy Authoresses CAT and AMS: Yes, Luther is creepy. I really have to dip into my darkside for his character. I'm glad you like Gates…I find his parts somewhat easy to write since he's strung on the emotions of getting his sister back. It seems he's getting more parts in this then Sashia, but there is a reason for this. I couldn't help but to throw in the line about Cliff getting them in trouble. With how placid Mirage is with him in the game, it just makes since that they had been through a lot together and well, knowing Cliff…XD
Darkladyxion959: Hehehe, actiony – I like that word. Close on the Luther theory…and I'm sorry not to answer the question yet, but it's coming up soon. Sashia cursed in Klausian…and for that word – I took a word I know in German, and kinda spiffed it up a bit…then checked it with the online dictionary to be sure it wasn't a real word…hahahaha. In case you are wondering, the German word I used was verdammt (means "damn it").