Inside My Heart Chapter 14, a star ocean fanfic

Disclaimer & stuff: Yeah I own it…and the land of chocolate is mine too

Note: Here's the last chapter for your reading pleasure. I got really excited while writing this, it was so much fun. And, since I'll be answering questions at the front, I did all translations for the Klausian words in the chapter – they will be italicized and in parenthesis. (German – English) You can skip the translations if that bothers you since I did explain it as I went so it's not necessary to even have it translated.

Answers and Facts:

When the review came in that said: 'The action kept me on the edge of my seat at some parts.' I was thrilled. That was what I was trying to accomplish. Thank you so much. When I have time to read it's either manga or suspense novels so it's good that I can write suspenseful stuff. –oh happy me-

Boy, BlueTrillium…I want to know how you come so close to knowing what's going on. Yet again I feel like you were in my head with your review – but not quite there…but don't worry, I'm not going to spoil it for ya ;)

BTW, BlueTrillium was my very first reviewer! Loves and hugs to you BlueTrillium. Thanks for sticking in there for me :D

The Binary Code: I'll explain briefly what was symbolized by the binary code in chapter 10. 1010011010 (binary) translates to 666 (decimal). It symbolizes Luther's fall from grace, so to speak. He went from god to demon. Sorta like Lucifer did in the Bible when he went from angel to demon. Since Fayt lives in a 'made' world I used technical code to spiff it up a bit. So when Fayt saw that number it was a metaphor for Luther and Luther's role in the fic. (That and I've probably seen the Matrix too many times XD)

Roger: I'm not sure if the question was how Roger picked the lock or how he had such darn good luck with the computer – so I'll answer both. As for the computer luck, I just thought it would be ironically funny to have him be able to do what Fayt was having trouble with. So his luck on the computer was just that – pure luck. As for the lock, well a little known fact is that a Menodix, while having soft fur coats - they also have rather durable whiskers. Yes, the kid used a whisker – like a bobby pin - to pop the lock. (I hope that answers it, if not then I'm sorry. And yes, I said his whisker XD)

Some of the Nel and Albel moments might not have been highlighted that good in this fic, but I have a plan to fill in those gaps with the sequel.

Yes, Mirage is sourly underappreciated. I sure hope I did her justice with this. Really, it takes a strong person to put their life on the line for others. Mirage Rules!

Now, on with the last chapter.

Inside My Heart

Chapter 14

Marietta's voice screamed through the speakers. He tuned her out completely, but she continued to yell at him. His adrenaline was on high speed and he wasn't going to let anyone stop him. As his hands set hastily to the task of commanding the small ship, he hit the volume switch to mute. Now the only noise that accompanied him was the sounds of his hands running over the controls and his own breath.

He set the coordinates and took a deep breath as he paused. He didn't really know exactly what he was doing. He didn't know if there was truly anything to gain. There was a word for his actions. He was sure Marietta was calling him such from her ship. The word was suicidal.

Suicidal to her was survival to him. Even in death he would survive the pain that doing nothing would cause. At the point he was in mentally, nothing mattered but putting forth his best effort. If that failed then nothing would matter - if he lived through it; which was doubtful.

He opened the communicator and sent the signal. She wasn't responding. His breath became labored and uneven. He tried to calm himself. He knew at the rate he was going he would pass out due to lack of oxygen if he didn't fill his lungs correctly.

He pushed the send button again, only to get no response. It was time to go to plan B. Swiftly typing on the consol, he sent a signal straight to the control room aboard Luther's ship. It was risky, but she wasn't giving him much of a choice. He opened the communication line and hit the speaker key.

He cleared his throat before he spoke into the open line. "I know you can hear me. And don't you go thinkin' that I would just back off and let you pull such an idiotic stunt. Incase you've forgotten, idiotic stunts are my specialty - not yours."

He waited for a second. One long second was what it took for a response, but that one second echoed in his ears. His heart had to have beat thirty times in that one second alone.

"Don't you dare, Cliff. Don't even..."

"Huh? You should know by now that there are some orders I just won't take. Now, we're in this together or not at all. I'll be there in less than five minutes."

He cut the line before she could argue more. As much as time seemed to pass at an unbearably slow pace, he wouldn't let it hinder him. He was sure that Marietta would allow him time to make an attempt of getting them both off the ship. She might have disapproved of his actions, which caused him to commit theft, but she would give him a chance.

He almost laughed. Stealing the cruiser from the Silver Fox had almost been a little too easy. Marietta somehow knew that someone would try to stop Mirage. What Marietta didn't plan on was someone trying to help her on the 'suicidal mission'. Cliff knew that this was the only way available to stop Luther. If he had thought about it first, it would be him on that ship and not Mirage.

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Mirage was set on high speed as she tried continuously to open the communication line back up. He was blocking her at the other end. Doing something that she had never once done in her life; she took up Sashia's bad habit of cursing in Klausian under her breath as she resumed her previous task of downloading the files needed for 'Project Raze' and sending them through the entire ship like a computer virus.

She had just finished the final key stroke when the door opened behind her. She swung around to face Luther as he stepped into the room.

"What's this? I almost didn't believe Sadie when she told me one hadn't run away. Do you know how cruel it would be to get my hopes up and come here to find the room empty? You, my precious, will be subject to all the frustration I have endured."

His smile sent a shiver down her spine as he took another step forward. She turned quickly and pressed the activation key. Before she could move from the consol, she felt his hands on her shoulders. In one fluid motion; she ducked out of his grip, turned and slammed both of her fist into his torso. He was unprepared for her actions and staggered a few steps back. Those few steps were enough to give her room to dodge the aura attack he promptly sent at her. His aura crashed into the computer, sending sparks everywhere.

Pain shot through her as one of the electric sparks landed on her left arm just above her elbow. She clenched her teeth tight and pushed the pain away as she was forced to dodge another attack thrown at her.

Luther stood his ground and laughed. "Oh, I didn't know you were a grasshopper. This is fun, don't you think?"

He sent another attack at her and she dodged again. She could feel her heartbeat race and her anger grow. He was playing with her and she knew it. Whatever he had done to survive three years ago had obviously increased his physical body, but his mental state had suffered.

After dodging three attacks, Mirage was close to the door. Only a few more feet and she would be able to run. She knew that 'Project Raze' would take her out, but that was nothing compared to the pain she was sure Luther wanted to deal to her.

She waited for him to send another attack at her. She would jump to avoid that and then run for it. She locked her eyes on him, taking her stance. Blue eyes meet blue eyes. He let out a growl, followed by a chuckle.

"Now, now…it won't be that easy my dear. I do have to wonder though, why not just have your friends transport you out of here?"

She gritted her teeth but didn't respond. Thanks to the new 'virus' which was active in the ship, any form of transportation was out of the question. A file like Raze interfered with the electromagnetic fields too badly to perform any external transportations.

He gave her a moment to answer him. When she didn't he put on a fake expression of disappointment. "So, not very talkative are you. Come to think of it, I don't remember you talking at all three years ago. Talk or no talk, I will hear you scream."

He sent another attack at her and as planned she jumped toward the door. She had just gained her feet enough to run when she felt his hand lock around her arm. She grunted, holding her tongue as his hand clamped around her fresh burn wound. She wouldn't give in and allow him to hear her scream as he wanted.

He pulled her back from the threshold and to the middle of the room. His right hand was holding her left arm, which left his body open. As he pulled, she used him momentum and pushed herself into him. Once contact was made, she pulled back and hit him square in the chest followed by a jab to his gut.

His breath was cut as the air was knocked out of him. His hand loosened just enough for her to break free. Mirage took half a step back; giving her just enough space between them for her to perform her Crescent Locus. She readied herself and was just about to unleash the attack when he sent his aura straight at her. The impact sent her off her feet and through the door. She was stopped by the hallway wall - the hit brutal.

She fell on her stomach, the air now knocked from her. She put all her effort into motion as she lifted unsteadily off the floor. She had just made it to her knees when he reached her. He hovered over her and chuckled. With no warning he kicked her hard in her side, forcing her back down.

"Hum, you are a lively one. Let's see how much that life will take before it fails you."

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Gates slammed his fist into his hand. "What do you mean? You aren't telling me that she's going to blow up with the ship are you?"

Marietta could do nothing more then stare at the screen in front of her. "If Cliff can't get her out of there in twenty five minutes, then…"

"Twenty five minutes?" Sashia asked, her voice threatening to crack. "But the files are loaded. It shouldn't be hard to activate the versadomen thing after they are out of there!"

An engineer stood up and took his place beside Marietta. "It's not that easy. The files only have a thirty minute activation time frame. It's a safety net incase the programs were downloaded but the intent to use was unnecessary. And the files can only be downloaded, not uploaded which means we can't do more then activate them from here."

"Mirage knew this didn't she?" Fayt's voice was laced with anger. "She knew it was suicide. Out of all of us, the only attacks that actually hit Luther was one hit from Albel and Nel's Ice Needles, which had no effect on him. Even if Cliff can find her, how are the two of them suppose to get away from him?"

Marietta turned suddenly. "I don't know, damn it! All I know is that when the time comes I'll have to press the blasted button. You want to know what it feels like to know that you could be the one that would kill a friend. Not just that, but two friends now that Cliff's there too." Her breath was short. She pointed her finger at each occupant in the room as she spoke. "You got the freakin' easy part. You just have to watch. Why don't one of you take my place and only then will I allow you to argue about it on my ship!"

Everyone, including Marietta's whole crew, stood in complete silence. Never once had anyone seen her mad enough to use foul language. She turned back and watched the letters count down on the screen.

00:20:15

Twenty minutes and fifteen seconds.

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Mirage looked up at him. Her back was likely bruised and now her side hurt. The air was returning to her lungs but the process was painful. Each breath reminder her of her collision with the wall, the floor, and his kick.

With lightning fast reflexes, he bent down and took a handful of her hair. Lifting her face he smirked at her. "What a shame. Such a beauty and a fighter too. Tisk, tisk…naughty girl needs to learn her place."

He emanated a low hum from his throat as he slammed her head unforgivingly into the metal floor. She gritted her teeth once more, determined to remain mute. Her head throbbed as a pain like fire spread through her skull. Every breath she took, every little noise she heard threatened to cause her to black out.

He let out a series of eerie chuckles as he stood. He brought his foot up and down at her. With a quick inhale, she managed to roll just out of reach. Again, her head pounded brutally. She almost bit her tongue in another attempt to remain silent.

The noises he issued clearly showed his patience was running thin. He stomped again, and in turn she rolled.

"Come now, don't be shy. You might even like it."

He stomped at her again, but this time she didn't roll. She grabbed his foot with both hands and pushed up with all her strength. His cockiness had gotten the better of him and he was sent back unrepentantly. He fell, giving her the chance she needed to make it to her feet.

She didn't even look at him as she flung herself forward and away from him. She had lost her peripheral vision and black spots floated in her view. Her legs felt weak and like they would give out on her. She wouldn't let that stop her. She had to get away. She kept her eyes focused straight ahead as she ran. That's when she saw him in the hallway. Cliff rounded the corner and was now just in front of her. With new motivation, she willed her legs to run faster.

Then she felt something strike her in the back. She was being pushed forward and her head was pounding. She closed her eyes before she made contact with the floor again.

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His nerves were on end. He had just spent a good ten minutes trying to find her before Luther, just to discover he was too late. Then, when he saw her running at him, his mind eased a bit just seeing she was still alive.

Before he knew what had happened, she was hit in the back by Luther's attack. As she hit the floor, Cliff made it to her side. He placed his hand on her back and glared up at the lunatic who stood in the hall.

"So, more have come out to play. How delightful."

Cliff didn't take his eyes off Luther as his hands worked at getting Mirage off the floor. She moaned slightly at his touch, warning him that she had been fighting before he had arrived. As he worked his hands under her shoulders, Luther stepped slowly toward them.

Cliff managed to get her to her feet. She was weak and hardly coherent. It took every fiber in him not to set her down and have another go at Luther. His blood was boiling and his anger intensified. Holding her around her waist with one arm, he dug in his pocket with his free hand.

"Oh, what do we have here? Ah, looks like one of my toys."

Cliff gave Luther a half smile. "Yup, and you can send Gates a thank you note for showing me how to use this."

Before Luther could respond, Cliff activated the metal sphere. He could vaguely hear the screams of anger from Luther as the blue light transported them away. The hallway dissolved and was replaced by the hanger. It was a short distance from where they had transport to and the cruiser.

Cliff took a moment to look at his wrist. The band he wore held a small face plate which warned him of the time he had left.

00:09:06

Nine minutes and six seconds.

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Marietta could do nothing but watch the numbers flash in front of her. It seemed that every time the seconds counted down, a crash was heard in her head. In reality, the screen made no sound. She knew it was her nerves and her emotions. She was wired and on the edge of being physically ill due to the pressure.

When she had started the Vulpine corp. two and a half years ago, she never imagined that she would relive such a bad moment. Disguised as a trading company, The Vulpine corp. was an undercover agency whose main purpose was to insure that the Federation didn't get out of hand and take advantage of anyone due to the damage done three years ago. In a few ways, it was much like Quark; but with a slightly different agenda.

She could feel the other's looking over her shoulders. It irritated her, but she couldn't blame them. They were as wrung out as she was. She hadn't meant to snap at them. She didn't even understand her own outburst, but an apology would have to wait. Right now, time was running out and her hopes were fading.

She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself. Her chest ached from anxiety. Her blood shot eyes burned. She prayed she would be able to press the button when the time came. She needed all the strength she could gather when that time had arrived.

00:06:48

Six minutes and forty eight seconds remaining. She would have to press the button with no less then one second to spare.

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Without hesitation, Cliff placed Mirage in the cruiser. She was barely able to help him much. Once inside, he sat her in the co-pilot's seat and strapped her in quickly. Sitting down himself, he set rapidly to entering the commands to open the hatch.

But the hatch didn't open. Project Raze had taken over the whole ship and internal commands were being affected as well. He slammed his hands on the consol before unlatching his strap. Moving as fast as he could he left the cruiser and ran toward the control box. He dodged the sparsely scattered vessels which belonged to Luther to reach the box that was located on the other side of the room and close to the door.

He reached the panel with no problems and input the command to open the hatch in two minuets. That was all he would need to make it back to the cruiser and start the take off process. He checked the box with a final glance to be sure he had set it up correctly. As he started his run back, he dared a look at the time remaining.

00:05:29

Five minutes and twenty nine seconds. Two minutes to get the hatch open and almost three and a half minutes to get out of there. If there was ever a time he was cutting it close, it was now.

He rounded the first vessel, trying not to focus on the lack of time hanging over him. When he rounded the second vessel, he nearly collided with Luther.

"You didn't think you held a monopoly on internal transportations now did you?"

As much as Cliff wanted to fight him, he knew that time was more essential. He was so close to having them out of there. Fighting Luther would take longer then two minutes and the result would be not only his death, but the death of Mirage also.

Cliff crouched and gave Luther his meanest glare. "That's it, party's over!" Cliff yelled as he ran straight for the lunatic.

Luther laughed and stretched his arms out, as if welcoming an old friend into an embrace. Cliff kept his eyes locked on Luther's and waited until just the right time. Each time his foot impacted the floor it echoed through the hanger. Five strides would be all it would take for Cliff to reach him.

Cliff counted his steps while timing his moves. One…Two…Three…Luther's eyes began to glow a soft sea green color. He was gathering his aura and Cliff was well prepared. By the time Cliff took his fifth step, Luther was a split second from hurtling his energy. Cliff leaned to his left and ducked, missing the blow by a hair.

Not missing a step, Cliff spun dangerously close to Luther and continued his run. He didn't look back once as he entered the cruiser. He faintly heard the door shut behind him. He went straight to the consol and set the sequence for launch; not taking the time to even sit down.

Luther turned and glared angrily at the small vessel. He took a step forward, prepared to crush the entire cruiser – along with its passengers – when Sadie appeared at his side.

"An unidentified file has been loaded. Any attempts to remove the file have resulted in failure."

Luther turned his attention to the computer's image. He rapidly noticed that Sadie was missing both arms and one eye. "Identify!" he shouted to the lifeless woman.

"Virus detected…virus detected…unidentified loaded had an file been…"

Before Luther could understand the extent of her deterioration, the hatch opened.

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00:02:45

Two minutes and forty five seconds.

The hatch was finally opened completely and the cruiser was off the floor. As the vehicle moved forward, Cliff slid back. His hands held the head rests of the seats as he planted his feet. As a reaction to the sudden movement, Mirage's head tilted. Her face came to rest on his fingers.

She was cold. All Cliff could do was stay where he was and wonder. Why was she so cold? So very cold.

He pulled his leg forward and attempted to make it to his seat, but a shift in the cruiser caused him to lose his grip. He slid further to the back and away from Mirage. He couldn't help but to notice she hadn't moved at all since he strapped her in. Before that, her movements were sluggish and very weak.

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00:02:13

Two minutes and thirteen seconds.

The clock steadily ticked down. No one was able to breath or move. All eyes were frozen on the digital numbers. Everyone onboard the Silver Fox was glued in place.

"The hatch on Luther's ship has been opened."

Everyone seemed to inhale all at once at the engineer's voice.

"Come on Cliff," Marietta spoke just over a whisper. "You got to get away from there."

"They're going to make it," Sophia said with a hesitant optimism.

Fayt turned to her, all color absent from his face. "All they have to do now is make it clear of the ship."

His words cut into everyone. They weren't safe yet. No one wanted to think about what would happen to the two if the cruiser didn't make it out of range in time.

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00:02:02

Two minutes and two seconds.

Cliff had just made it back to his seat and buckled in when the cruiser was hit. Luther stood at the edge of the open hanger, impervious to any effects space would have on a normal person.

He didn't laugh as he sent another blast at the cruiser. This time his aura hit the cruiser's left corner. That was two hits in the rear. That should be all that was required to keep them from getting too far.

Luther didn't blink as he watched the small vessel slow down. He didn't know exactly what she had done to his ship, but he knew he was limited on time and they were too hasty to get away. What ever it was, he would be damned if it didn't take them along with him.

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00:01:54

One minute and fifty four seconds.

The cruiser had just come into view, but to everyone's disheartenment it had suffered heavy damage. Almost the entire exterior haul was missing from the rear and the left engine was clearly disabled.

Marietta hit both sides of the screen with her fist. "Damn! At that speed they'll never make it out in time. Zane, see if you can't get a lock on them. Once they are clear enough I want you to transport them the hell out of there."

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00:01:44

One minute and forty four seconds.

Cliff's hand ran over the consol at a remarkable speed. The left engine was dead and the right engine was damaged. The cruiser was only able to reach a fourth of its maximum speed.

Cliff flung himself back in his seat. He pushed his hair from his face in frustration. Glancing over, he noticed for the first time how pale Mirage was. Without thinking, he unbuckled and moved to her seat. He had done all he could to make it out of range. The cruiser wouldn't give him any more speed and he had a sinking feeling that there wasn't enough time to try anything else.

He pulled her out of her seat and sat on the floor; wrapping her up with his arms. She was cold. He looked down, searching for any sign of life. When he found no signs, he let what tears he had fall.

"You know what Mirage," he said, rocking slightly. "I always thought there was a happily ever after. You know what I mean. You find love, love finds you and you live happily ever after. Funny huh?" His voice cracked slightly as parts of his words hung in his throat. "What was it your old man said…never live with regrets. Yeah, he was a wise old geezer, but how can I live with no regrets? You were there all along and if I'd only tried hard enough maybe I would have had you for the last three years. Now, it looks like things are over for us."

He used one hand to wipe his face, his other arm refused to let her go. "Well, you know me…when I do something I go all the way. Seems you do too. Even after all these years, you still surprise me. You keep me on my toes and never once have I been bored around you. You're my best friend and sometimes I think you know me better then I know myself. That day I held you at your mother's funeral I promised myself I would always be there for you. No regrets, huh? I broke that promise and that's something I will always regret."

He took another look at her and rested his hand on her cheek. "Always Mirage. I know now that I have always loved you and I will always love you. Even in death, you have all I can give."

He touched her head with his lips as he hugged her tighter. He would hold her…be with her until the end.

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00:00:30

Thirty seconds.

Marietta didn't dare look up from the clock. Despite the fact that she was overcome with tremors, and the urge to be sick, she didn't take her eyes off of the flashing numbers. As much as she hated herself, she would do what Mirage had asked. How she would live with herself was something she didn't know. She was the one thing that she hated most.

Part of her wanted to blame Mirage for asking her to do this. This action was something that no one should be asked to do. How could you ask a friend to kill you? How could you set the responsibility of something so horrific on someone who you trusted. But then again, only someone you trusted would be able to keep such a promise.

But no, Marietta took the whole blame on herself. Not just for Mirage, but for Cliff as well. He was going to die too and it was all her fault. Why it was her fault she didn't really know and she didn't care. She needed someone to blame - someone to hate and she was it.

00:00:23

Twenty three seconds.

"Zane!"

"I'm working on it Ma'am. They're not quite out of range. Just a little more time."

"There is no more time!" Marietta couldn't help but to yell at her crew. All the time she had spent in charge and not once had she yelled at any of them.