Part 16.1: Deals and Chicken
Cliff, Cyrus, Fayt, Maria and Mirage arrived at the transporter room of the flagship Diplo. When they arrived, they were greeted by one of the crewmen. "Welcome back, Captain," he greeted.
"Good work, everyone," Maria congratulated.
"I'm so happy you made it back safely. I've been worried sick… I haven't been able to sleep a wink!" Mirage and the men in the group shrugged from the man's emotional tone.
Cyrus only rolled his eyes. "Man, Liebizzle," Cyrus thought. "Lay off the dramatics."
"No time for chitchat," Maria quickly said. "Any progress analyzing that energy?"
"Uhh…yeah," Lieber replied. "It appears that blast of energy came from neither Federation, Aldian, nor Vendeeni forces."
"How do you know that?"
"We don't have much information right now, but according to intercepted communications, all three groups are currently under attack by another entity."
"From where?" Cliff asked.
"Don't know yet. There are limits to the communications we can intercept at this distance. Marietta is continuing to analyze the data."
"I don't know if they're friend or foe, but they sure did a number on those Vendeeni," Maria replied. "Let's take advantage of the situation. And keep gathering that data for analysis."
"Leave it to me!" Lieber replied.
"I'm going to the bridge."
"Please lead the way," Cyrus replied. The group left the room.
As they walked to the deck, Fayt looked at the corner of his eye and saw Lieber staring at him and Cyrus intently. "Hey, Cliff," Fayt whispered, making sure that the man hear him.
"What's wrong?"
"Who's the guy behind us?"
"Him? Oh that's Lieber, one of our best shooters. He and his older brother Steeg nicknamed themselves 'the Binary Star of Lazeria' because of their skills."
"The Binary Star, huh?" Cyrus said.
"Yep. Unfortunately, neither us, or even the Federation, call them that. To everyone, they're just good ol' Lieber and Steeg."
"I see," Fayt said. "So how come he's staring at us?"
"Well, you see..."
"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out," Cyrus said. "And I should know. The young Liebizzle has a crush on Maria."
"How did you know?" Cliff whispered in shock.
"Let's see... How about 'I've been worried sick… I haven't been able to sleep a wink!'" he said in a tone that matched Lieber's earlier.
"Well, I think it's a good idea to stay out of Maria's space when Lieber's around," Cliff advised. "Right now, I think he sees you two as competition."
"What?" Fayt said. "But I... he... what?"
"And to think, you said he was 'good ol' Lieber;'" Cyrus sneered.
"Well, you two just be careful," Cliff said. The group entered the room and the crew went to their stations.
Fayt and Cyrus stood at beside Maria as she took her seat. "I'm back people," she said. "We're behind schedule on our objective to secure Dr. Leingod. Let's proceed as planned to point S317. All hands standby!"
"Right!" Marietta said instantly.
"W-wait a sec… 'Secure Dr. Leingod'?" Fayt repeated in confusion. "So you know where my father is?"
"That's right," Maria replied. "He's being held in a cave on a planet located at point S317. It's been cleverly disguised, but it's a secret Vendeeni base, no doubt."
"A secret base? How do you know about it then?"
"Don't underestimate Quark's information network. We'll be entering gravitic warp at once. How about you to go sit over there."
"Oh, okay."
"All right," Cyrus said excitedly as he was taking his seat. "There's nothin' that says happy hour than breaking into secret alien bases."
"Set a course to point S317 via gravitic warp," Maria said to Mirage. "Break out of orbit with one-quarter thrust."
"Okay," Mirage said. She went to her station and began pressing different keys. "Breaking out of orbit with one-quarter thrust." The Diplo was soared out of Elicoor's skies and in space. "Out of orbit." The two swordsmen walked back to where they stood.
"Engage gravitic warp."
"Engaging gravitic warp."
A loud beep was heard. "Our long-range sensors have picked up a ship—fast approaching," Marietta replied.
"Ship registration?" Maria asked.
"It's the Aquaelie, a federation battleship."
"A battleship? What is a Federation battleship doing out here?"
"Could they be after us?" Fayt asked.
"That is a possibility," Cyrus said.
"Incoming transmission," Marietta said.
"Full stop," Maria ordered. "Display the transmission on screen."
"Roger," both Marietta and Mirage replied as they began typing the commands.
On screen, an older man appeared with a formal uniform. "'This is Commodore Wittcomb of the Federation ship Aquaelie. It's an honor to meet you all.'"
"Likewise," Maria said. "I would never have expected to meet Commodore Wittcomb, star officer of the Federation fleet, in these parts."
The Commodore chuckled. "'I'm flattered you'd remembered my name. But first thing's first. That's Dr. Leingod's son and the Splicer child standing behind you, correct?'"
"Yes it is."
"'Well, what I am about to say will no doubt come as a surprise. There's no time for details now, so I'll be brief.'"
"Go on."
"'A Vendeeni ship is approaching you. Our analysts believe they will not attack, so we expect the same of you. None of us want there to be any hostilities.'"
"I bet there won't be..." Cyrus said rhetorically under his breath.
"What are you talking about?" Fayt asked. "How could you possibly know that the Vendeeni will not attack?"
"'Because-'" before the commodore could complete his statement, Marietta inadvertently cut him off.
"Captain, our sensors have picked up the Vendeeni ship," she said. "They're sending out a transmission."
Commodore Wittcomb nods to Maria. "Switch signals," she said.
When they turned the channels, a Vendeeni in high ranked clothing stood on screen. "Damn, they're even uglier close up on the big screen!" Cyrus whispered to Fayt who nodded in agreement.
"'This is Captain Biwig of the Vendeen Empire ship Dasvanu. Surrender immediately and submit to our orders.'"
"Nice to meet you, too," Maria said sarcastically.
"'Dr. Leingod, enemy of the galaxy, and the girl, are in our hands. You are in no position to refuse our demands.'"
The two looked closely at the screen and saw Dr. Leingod and Sophia chained up in the corner. "What do you want with my father?" Fayt snapped.
"'We have but a single demand. You must exchange Leingod's son for Dr. Leingod and the Splicer boy for the girl.'"
"Exchange me for my father?"
"You may get this a lot, bag head, 'you are one crazy and ugly mother fucker,'" Cyrus insulted.
"And the method of exchange?" Maria asked before things escalated. "I suppose we don't trust one another enough to transport them between our ships."
"'Obviously not,'" Biwig replied. "'We will reach your location in a few minutes. Further orders will be issued at that point. You will standby until then.'" Biwig closed the communication between the Dasvanu and the Diplo.
"Marietta, encrypt our signal to the Aquaelie."
"Done."
The commodore reappeared on the screen. "'I heard everything,'" he said.
"So that's the situation," Maria said.
"'Dr. Leingod's safety is paramount. As long as they hold him, we're unable to attack.'"
"I suppose you're right. Commodore, just how much do the Federation and Vendeeni really know?"
"'About what?'"
"Don't play dumb with me," Maria said sternly. "You wouldn't be trying to get Dr. Leingod, let alone Fayt or even Cyrus, unless you had some sort of information on them."
"'I suspect our intentions are not that different from your own. As for the Vendeeni, I'm not sure what they want, but I do have my suspicions.'"
"I see."
"So… What'cha gonna do?" Cliff asked. "You gonna give him up without a fight?"
"You gotta be kidding!" Fayt shouted. "I still have things I want to ask my father!"
"I remember what you said about 'em earlier," Cyrus commented. "I ain't gonna be tested by no fishes!"
"Don't worry, you two," Maria assured. "I won't let them have you or your father, Fayt. I won't stand for that."
"Maria," Fayt said.
"'As long as you can secure Dr. Leingod, the Aquaelie will be able to deal with the Vendeeni ship.'" the commodore said.
"The timing of the hostage exchange will be key," Maria said. "No doubt, they will specify a neutral location for the exchange. I'm not sure what we'll do then. We'll have to think of something."
"'Think of something'?" Cliff replied. "We'll be flying by the seat of our pants!"
"Not much else we can do. We've no time, and the cards are stacked against us."
"Just the sort of situation you like, isn't it Cliff?" Mirage asked.
"S'pose so, but..."
"'Give it your best shot,'" the commodore said. "I place it in your hands.'"
"Well, we aren't doin' this for you, ya know," Cliff replied.
"'Nevertheless… Dr. Leingod and the boy must not fall into Vendeeni hands.'"
"Right," Maria replied.
"'I imagine it will not be much longer until we arrive. Sit tight until then.'"
"All right."
"'Best of luck to you.'" With that said, Commodore Wittcomb closed the communications to the ship.
"We have to help my father, no matter what it takes," Fayt told Maria.
"I know…" Maria said. "Remember, I have some unfinished business with him. We won't fail to free your father."
Cliff chuckled. "I can hardly wait," he said.
"Glad you're on my side."
"You know it."
Cyrus and Fayt nodded and sat back in their seats. "I hope Sophia's holding up well," Fayt said. "This has to be hard on her."
"Don't worry, home boy," Cyrus replied as he looked back. "We'll bust Sophia out and your old man from those dogfish."
"You're right."
"Captain, we're receiving a transmission from the Dasvanu," Marietta said.
"On screen," Maria said.
Biwig was back on the line (in all of his ugliness). "'The exchange will take place on the planet you are orbiting. Prepare to transport down. …And no heroics.'"
"The Dasvanu sent the coordinates, 147.5834, 34.8874," Marietta read.
"Location," Maria said.
"Right away." The screen changed and showed Elicoor II. It pin-pointed its location to the destination.
"Hey, isn't that-" Fayt asked.
"Oh, yeah," Cliff said, cutting him off.
"You've been there?" Maria asked.
"Yup, sure have."
"It's been a long time, homies" Cyrus replied. The screen showed none other than the Kirlsa Training Facility.
"'Transport at the specified time,'" Biwig replied. "'And I repeat, no heroics.'"
"Understood," Maria said. "We'll hold you to that as well. We'll exchange Fayt and Cyrus for Dr. Leingod and the Esteed's daughter. That's the deal."
"'Yes, that is the deal.'" The communication ended.
"We can only transport six at a time," Cliff replied. "Their capacity shouldn't be any different."
"Remember, they've got my father," Fayt said, worryingly to Cliff. "Whatever you do, be careful."
"You're such a worrywart. Put a little more trust in me."
"I trust you, I really do. It's just…" Cyrus was going to remind everyone about the incident on the Eagle, but he dropped it. He knew now wasn't the time.
"Don't worry," Maria said. "It'll be okay… Believe me. We'll get everyone back safely."
"Maria..."
"Damn straight," Cyrus replied. "With all of us, this mission is highly possible."
"Okay," Fayt replied.
"Mirage, prepare to transport us down," Maria ordered.
"Roger, Captain," Mirage said as she got up.
"I'll go with you," Cliff said. "Hey Steeg, you're coming, too."
"Yes, sir." The three Klausians left the room to the transporter room.
"Lancar, you read me?" she asked on her communicator.
"'Sup, Maria?'" he said smoothly.
"Ready three combat personnel, equipment level A. You pick the team. They'll transport down with us."
"'Level A? This must be serious.'"
"It is. Our suits are no match for the disrupter rifles the Vendeeni use, but they're better than nothing."
"'Got it. I'll have them ready ASAP.'"
"I'm counting on you." Maria takes a seat and ponders about the situation. She then noticed her two comrades were looking at here. Fayt was giving a confused stare. "...What is it?"
"Nothing," Fayt replied. "I was just thinking you really are Quark's leader."
"Not too sharp, are you? I've been telling you that from the start."
"I know, it's just that…"
"It's too cool to believe," Cyrus replied. "I mean, this must be a great undertaking, yo."
"Yeah, whatever," she shrugged. "There's still some time before we transport down, so you're free until then. There's nothing I need you for right now. I'll make an announcement when it's time to go."
"Alright." The two warriors left the room. "Man I'm hungry."
"Didn't you just eat?" Fayt asked.
"Yeah. But what I'm hungry for is something I haven't had for a week or two: Chicken."
"Just chicken?"
"Hey, where I'm from, chicken's like soul food," Cyrus snapped. "When you're me and haven't had your weekly fowl, you get kinda edgy. Now let's find the food stand and quick."
Fayt only blinked at the young shizznit and sighed. It took them a few minutes, but they found the cafeteria on the second floor. "May I help you?" asked the woman behind the desk.
"Got any chicken?" Cyrus asked quickly.
"What do you want?"
"I'll have four drumsticks, three wings and two breasts."
"Okay and that will be five hundred fol."
"Got it." Cyrus pulled out the money and placed it on the table. In a few minutes, the order came in and the two sat at a table. "Ah, nothing says paradise than a farm raised bird descended from the jungle fowl," he said as he bit a portion of a drumstick. Fayt didn't say anything as he was too busy thinking of something else. "Hey, Fayt." Still no response. He snapped his fingers and the blue-haired swordsman was back, though he was surprised. "What's on your mind, homes?"
"Aren't you a little concerned about Sophia and my father?"
Cyrus was quiet. "You're real worried about them, aren't you?"
"Of course. Sophia's been my best friend for as long as I could remember. And even though my dad intentionally made me into a living weapon, he had his reasons and I still love him."
"Fayt, don't worry. Like I said earlier, we're gonna get them back. It's gonna take some time, but be prepared." He gave Fayt another drumstick. "Let's eat. For success on this mission, homes. After all, if we could defeat a dragonmare single handedly, those Vendeeni have nothing on us."
"Alright. But you know we'll both be in serious danger," he said in a worried tone.
"Ha! Do you know who you're talkin' too?" Cyrus asked in a cocky tone.
"Who? Please tell me?" Fayt asked wryly.
"I'm Cyrus Splicer, dude! Danger's my nickname, dog!"
"Yeah, sure," Fayt said jokingly. "I thought it was 'M.'"
"The 'M' is for Makai... Oh, just eat the leg." The two started to chow down on the meal. In about half an hour, the two were finished with their meal. "That was finger licking good," Cyrus said.
"Yeah," Fayt said comfortably. "I can't believe that I'm so full so quickly."
"I think we should go now."
"Maybe I can digest while we walk." The swordsmen threw their trash away and left the room.
When they were in the hall, the two happen to bump into Lieber. The Klausian wasn't too happy. "It's you two fools!" he shouted.
Fayt was confused. "What did we do?"
"You two are the ones Maria's... Forget it."
"What's your problem?" Cyrus snapped.
"What do you think? Just because you two are with Ms. Traydor don't mean anything." Cyrus and Fayt looked at each other. "If you ask me, you're still on the bottom of the pecking order. I, Lieber the Sharp Shooter will see to it that Maria doesn't make the mistake of her life."
The warriors were quiet. Cyrus rolled his eyes. "We'd love to stay, but you're wasting some precious time."
"No! You two better listen. Don't get cocky because I'm not going with you. They need to leave a number of personnel to protect the ship. You better not try anything to harm her."
"And we're glad you're doing that," Fayt said.
"Don't worry Chief Wiggum," Cyrus sneered. "We be good.."
"You little thug," Lieber said sternly.
"Oh, thank you," Cyrus replied sarcastically.
"Let's go, Cyrus," Fayt said. "We need to do something." Cyrus looked at Fayt and nodded. They left the hall, also leaving a furious Lieber behind. His shouts and screams were still heard.
By the time they were back upstairs, an announcement was heard on the loud speakers. "It's time, everyone," Maria's voice said. "Meet in front of the transporter room."
"That's our cue," Cyrus said. "Time to drop it like it's hot."
"I still don't understand half the words you say," Fayt replied with a hand on his forehead.
"You're young, you'll be taught." All the blue-haired swordsman did was raise his hands and shook his head.
They raced to the other side of the room, where Maria, Cliff, Mirage and other member of Quark awaited. "Ah, there you are," Cliff said. "Are you ready to go?"
"I'm ready," Fayt replied.
"Let's show 'em how to partay," Cyrus smirked as he cracked his knuckles.
"That's the spirit," Cliff said heartily.
"I see everyone's here," Maria replied. "All right, let's go."
The three guards moved to the transporter room. "You've got the bridge, Mirage," Cliff said.
"Roger."
"Yahaa, let's do it!" he said excitedly as he pounds his palm in his hand.
"Good luck. See you soon." Before Cliff entered the room, he patted his hand on Mirage's shoulder.
"If something happens, you have command of the Diplo," Maria said.
"Understand."
"Well, let's just hope nothing happens," responded Lancar.
"My thoughts exactly…" Maria replied. "We'll be back shortly."
"Take care," Mirage said.
"Stay sharp and keep an eye on the captain," Lancar told the guards.
Fayt, Cyrus and Maria went inside. "Since the transporter can only carry six, one of us will have to go first," Maria said.
"I'm up," Cyrus said. "It would be stupid and time consuming figuring this out." Cyrus stepped into the machine with his arms folded. "Beam me down, Scotty," he said pointing downward. Steeg looked at Cyrus in confusion. "It's an old saying... Very old..."
Steeg only sighed. "Transporting in one minute to the specified coordinates," he said as he began pressing different commands. In seconds, Cyrus was transported to the Kirlsa Training Facility.
Part 16.2: Intergalactic Interlude
Cyrus appeared in the Aerial Arena on top of the building. "Oh... tingly," he said to himself. He looked around and saw a figure on the top of the barrier. He quickly drew out his light saber, but took a closer look. It wasn't a Vendeeni soldier, but he didn't really know who it was either. He retracted the beam of light and sat on the ground; legs folded, eyes closed. The character watched him with green eyes.
In under a minute, Fayt and the rest of the group appeared. Biwig and his Vendeeni soldiers also transported at the scene with Sophia and Dr. Leingod as their captives. Unfortunately, something else also arrived. A large machine emitting some sort of waves had also materialized. The group was shocked. "What is that?" Maria questioned in surprise.
"A transport jammer!" Fayt yelped.
"Hand over the boys, now!" Biwig demanded.
"What do you mean?" Maria asked. "I though we had a deal."
The commander scoffed huffed. "Did you? Your equipment suggests otherwise. You Federation scum are always up to dirty tricks."
"It'd be plain stupid to come unprepared. Besides, we're not from the Federation."
"What's the difference? Hey, you two… Get over here."
Fayt groaned while Cyrus pulled out his saber and turned it on. "Does the expression 'kiss my black ass' mean anything to you, fish brain?"
"You'll regret that..."
"No!" Sophia yelled. "Run!" As the three bodyguards readied their guns, the Vendeeni had already drawn and fired at them. The lasers shots had hit their targets and the fellow crewmen were instantly killed on the spot by the disruptor rifles.
"No!" Maria shouted. "How dare you!"
"Take the boys alive," Biwig ordered his two soldiers. "Kill the rest!" The enemies charged at Fayt and Cyrus.
"Are you ready?" Cyrus asked.
"Let's take 'em," Fayt said sternly.
Cyrus played "Chaotic Dance" from the Baten Kaitos soundtrack and the fight began. They charged into battle. Cyrus started things up by using his Raptor's Revenge on the soldier. The soldier staggered back. Cyrus tried for a jump kick, but the opponent bent backward. Then he sweep kicked him quickly. The soldier fell flat on his back. Cyrus was about to punch his face right there. The Vendeeni saw the attack coming and quickly rolled out of the way. Cyrus backed up from the foe and used Power Up. The soldier saw this as an opportunity and started to charge his rifle. By the time Cyrus was finished, a large ball of laser energy came coming toward him. He sidestepped quickly from the line of fire. The soldier than fired a series of shots. Cyrus was hit by one, but managed to fend the rest with his saber. He jumped up in the air and spun at the opponent like a disk. The foe fell backward, but shot at Cyrus. The swordsman moved his face, barely missing the laser. Cyrus knew enough was enough. The Vendeeni stood back up and fired, but the attacks were fended off by the red beam as Cyrus rushed over to him. He sliced the gun in half and used the 187. He double kicked the Vendeeni's head while off the ground, then flipped and slammed the soldier's face to the arena floor. The enemy was out cold. At around the same time, Fayt had also finished his battle. "If they had any backbone, it would have been a little more of a challenge," Cyrus scoffed.
Both he and Fayt hurried to Sophia and Dr. Leingod, freeing them from their ropes. "Thank you, Cyrus," Robert said.
"Just doin' my job, doc," Cyrus simply replied.
"Seems you underestimated us," Cliff said to Biwig.
"It would appear so."
"Fayt… Fayt!" Sophia embraced the blue-haired swordsman.
"...Fayt," his father said.
"You go, player!" Cyrus exclaimed.
Maria turned her attention to Biwig who was standing near the jammer. "The tables have turned, Biwig."
Biwig only chuckled softly. "What's so funny, bag-head?" Cliff asked. "You're the only one left."
Suddenly, something was beginning to materialize. "Something's being transported down?" Fayt shouted.
The three units were Incapacitator Vasess and they were awaiting orders. "How's that possible?" Maria asked in disbelief. "There's a transport jammer here!"
The Vendeeni commander was laughing loudly. "Man, sharkboy be buggin'," Cyrus replied.
"Fools!" he yelled. "Our technology only blocks who we want it to block. We can bring down as many reinforcements as we need!"
Cliff growled, but he had to face the facts. There was nothing anyone could do at the moment. "Run for it!" he shouted.
As they group ran, Cyrus was the only one behind. "I can take these chumps on," he replied. As soon as the robots charged at him, Cyrus quickly changed his attitude and strategy. "Ah, screw it!" He quickly retreated to catch up with the rest of his companions. The enemy automatons weren't too far behind.
"Hurry up!" Maria shouted as they were in the elevator.
The door was closing fast and Cyrus took a leap of faith. He made it into the elevator just as the door was closing. He didn't come without a souvenir, the arm of one of the Incapacitator Vasses that broke off when the door closed. Cyrus felt that his cap was missing. He looked on the floor and saw it laying by his feet. He picked it up, brushed the dust off and put it back on his head. "So what have we just learned?" Cliff sneered.
"I have a complex persona, 'ight?" Cyrus snapped. "I could've taken them. I just felt the odds were a handicap."
"Riiight..."
The group rushed to the third floor of the building. Unfortunately, Sophia began to loose her footing. "Sophia?" Fayt said in a worried tone.
"Don't worry," she assured. "I just tripped."
"Let me see your leg." Fayt checks her leg and found it to be swollen. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"Must've been hit in that fight back there," Cliff said.
The group heard the sounds of footsteps approaching from the door behind them. "Great, more issues," Cyrus said.
"…You guys hide here," Cliff said. "I'll try to draw them away."
"What, alone?" Fayt asked.
"I'll be fine. I can handle these guys. Her injury is gonna slow you down."
Cliff runs out the door and the soldiers chase after him. "I've spotted one over here!" one of them said.
"He's got bravery, the home boy does," Cyrus replied. The group go inside the kitchen and rests Sophia on a bench.
"Show me where you're hurt," Maria said to Sophia.
"Huh? Oh, right here."
Maria checked her leg and found what the problem was. "It doesn't look bad," she said. "We'll fix you up in no time once we get back to the Diplo… I know it hurts, but hang in there a bit longer."
"Okay, thanks."
"The transport jammer should have about a 2-km radius of effect, right?" the captain asked the doctor.
"That's the Federation spec, but the Vendeeni technology is more advanced. No doubt it has an even greater area of effect."
"It will be hard getting clear of it."
"If we turn tail, you could bet ol' fish-face and his goons won't be far behind," Cyrus said.
"We have to make a stand," Fayt said in a serious tone.
Robert was amazed of Fayt. He never saw him like this before. "You've grown, Fayt."
"Let's talk it over with Cliff when he gets back."
"Okay," Maria said.
"In the meantime, Dad, there's something I have to ask you."
"So you've finally found out," Robert said, feeling a little guilty. "But you must understand. I never once thought of you as a tool for my research. You were born because your mother and I always wanted a child."
"Well then, tell us why!" Maria shouted. "How could you treat your own child like a guinea pig?"
"Calm down, Maria," Cyrus said.
"How can I!" she snapped. "We need to know!"
"By the way, who is she?" Dr. Leingod asked.
"This is Maria. Maria Traydor," Fayt introduced. "She's the leader of Quark, the anti-Federation group."
"Maria Traydor… Traydor?" The good doctor was trying to remember who she was.
"You performed genetic engineering on her, just like you did to me."
"Uncle Robert-genetic engineering...?" Sophia couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"What?" Robert finally understood who Maria was. "So that means you're—I see. That's why your last name is Traydor."
"Explain yourself, Dr. Leingod…" she demanded. "I think we have the right to know."
"Dad, tell us why…" Fayt said. "Why did you do it, Dad? Why did you manipulate our genes?"
"I did it…for the sake of our universe," he answered.
"Our universe?" Maria questioned. "That's quite a grand scale. How could modifying our genes have anything to do with the universe?"
"But it's the truth. I performed symbological genetic engineering on you because of a force that would one day threaten all we know."
"Threaten all we know?" Fayt repeated.
"That sounds bad," Cyrus said.
"It is," Robert replied. "I don't expect you to believe me right here and now. It's a long story. I'll explain everything once we get out of here. Just be patient."
"Is that all?" Maria yelled in a frustrated tone. "You think we'll accept that poor excuse for an explanation?"
"Maria..." Fayt gasped.
"That's not what I wanted to hear!"
"I'm sorry," Robert said.
Cliff entered the room. "Sorry to keep ya waiting," he said. The Klausian turned around and saw Maria in her current state "…What happened?" he asked.
"It's nothing, really," Fayt said.
"Just having a chat," Cyrus said.
"O-kay… I've cleared out all the enemies in the immediate area, but we can't waste any time," Cliff explained. "I'm sure they'll keep calling in reinforcements. And there are still Vendeeni soldiers here and there. Seems to be no end to them. They're like roaches!"
"I think we should destroy the jammer," Fayt said. "Otherwise, we don't stand a chance. We'll be picked off one by one." He turns to Maria and asks, "What do you think? I'd like to hear your opinion."
The blue-haired teen thinks over the situation. "…Seems we have no other choice," she said. Maria turns on her transmitter. "Maria to Diplo."
"'I'm here,'" Marietta said.
"That Biwig's using a new type of transport jammer. We're going to destroy it. Be ready to transport us up as soon as we do."
"'Cannot comply!'"
"What's wrong?"
"'We're under attack by the Dasvanu! Our hands are full just staying alive! Incoming transports at this time would be—'" the operator screamed as a shot of the Dasvanu made a hard impact.
"What happened to the Aquaelie?" Maria asked. "It should have been here by now…"
"'They're being blocked by another Vendeeni ship. They need a little more time.'"
"Where's Mirage?"
"'She's on damage control. Lieber and Lancar are with her!'"
"All right. Find some way to hold out until the Aquaelie arrives!"
"'We'll do our best!'"
Maria turned her transmitter off. "Damn it!" Cliff snapped.
"This is one of those times where life sucks," Cyrus said.
"I should have known the Vendeeni would have prepared for this," Maria thought to herself.
"Hey!" Fayt pondered. "If the Vendeeni are engaged, maybe they're also too busy to use their transporters."
"Yeah. There's a good chance of that," Cliff said.
"If so, then they've got all the soldiers they're going to get," Maria replied. "Let's take out their jammer then. In the meantime, let's just hope the Aquaelie shows up to lend a hand."
"Relying on the Federation sticks in my craw, but I guess we have no other choice."
"Finally," Cyrus said. "Let's show Biwig that payback's a bitch."
"For once, Cyrus, you're finally making sense," Cliff complimented.
Cyrus grinned, but then realized what Cliff said. "Hey!" he shouted.
"Let's go," Fayt said. The group left the kitchen. They faced a few of the Vendeeni soldiers and their robots on the way, but they still managed to get to the fourth floor unharmed.
They looked out the sides hallway and found Biwig and a group of Vendeeni soldiers still standing at the arena. "It's now or never," Cliff said.
"Let's do it!" Fayt shouted. The four rushed out and were ready for combat.
"You've fought well, I'll give you that. However, it all ends here. Hand over the boy now. I will say it once more. Resistance is futile. I can keep calling in reinforcements, no matter how many of my soldiers you defeat. There is no escape!" Biwig laughed loudly at the group.
Fayt growled. As Cyrus drew his sword, they saw a tall figure standing on the pillar behind the Vendeeni. "That's because of this thing!" she said. The woman leapt off the platform and destroyed the transport jammer. Everyone was surprised to see the her. "I think that did the trick. What the heck was it, anyway?"
"Nel!" Fayt said in shock.
"Get out of here, quick!" Cyrus yelped.
"Damn you!" a furious Biwig shouted.
He and his men began firing their disruptor rifles at the spy. She dodged most of the attacks, but in the end, she was hit in the arm by one of the beams. She spun and screamed from the hit and fell to the ground. Cyrus wasn't just dumbfounded, but he also felt something hit him as well. "Nooooo!" he yelled.
"Biwig!" Fayt shouted.
"Destruction of our transport jammer means nothing! Our battleship can crush your flagship at any time!"
All of a sudden, a group of units were being transported down to the arena. It was a team from the Diplo with Lieber up in front. "Captain, are you okay?" Lieber asked.
"What is going on?" Biwig shouted. It was clear he wasn't pleased. "Where are the reinforcements?"
"Sir, the Aquaelie arrived and has joined forces with the Diplo," one of the soldiers reported.
"What? The Aquaelie? Damn! Pull us out now! Dasvanu, transport us up!" The Vendeeni were transported back to the ship.
Cyrus, Fayt and Cliff, along with Sophia and Robert, hurried to the injured warrior. "How horrible!" Sophia said.
"What are you doing here?" Fayt shouted.
"…I had…a lot on my mind…" Nel said weakly. "And so…I came here. Then…I saw you all and… I'm glad …I could help…before…the end. …I never…thanked you…properly."
"Hey, I don't wanna hear any of this 'the end' crap from you!" Cliff said.
"Nel, you ain't goin' nowhere!" Cyrus said. "You're a fighter!"
"Cyrus... you were right..." Nel said. "This was sooner... than either of us expected... It has... been fun... while it lasted, huh?"
"Hang in there." Nel lost consciousness.
"Let's get back to the Diplo," Fayt suggested. "They should be able to do something."
"You're right," Maria said as she walked up to the group. She turned her transmitter on and connected to the Diplo. "Diplo, report."
"'The Aquaelie has just destroyed the Dasvanu with its creation cannons!'" Marietta replied.
"'We'll be able to transport you in one minute's time,'" Mirage said. There was a brief silence and a beep was heard. "'Just a second. What is it, Marietta?'"
"'We detected transporter activity right before the Dasvanu was destroyed. We can't tell what they sent, so be careful down there.'"
"'Did you get that? Be very careful.'"
"...Okay, thanks," Maria said.
They heard something being warped down. They turned and saw two Vendeeni soldiers and Biwig "If I cannot use you, I shall eliminate you!"
The commander opened fire on Fayt. "No!" Robert shouted as he pushed his son out of the way. The beam hit Dr. Leingod straight in his hard. The doctor tried to move, but to no avail.
"Dad!" Fayt gasped.
"Doctor!" Maria shouted.
"Nooooooooo!" Sophia yelled.
The three raced to the dying man. "Fayt… Maria… Sophia…" he said weakly. "The data…you want…is…at Moonbase. You must…g…g…go there…"
"Dad, save your strength…" Fayt said. His father gagged and fell unconscious.
"Haha, it serves you right for interfering!" Biwig guffawed. "This never would have happened if you had done what I asked."
"Slime!" Maria hissed furiously.
"You give yourself pleasure by killing innocent bystanders like this, Biwig?" an angry Cyrus asked. "You have no honor, not even in your shit."
"Insolent fool!" Biwig hollered. "All that get in the way must face the consequences. I did what I did for the sake of Vendeen."
"You make me sick," Fayt said in pure rage.
Cyrus groaned. "You know what I say to you...?" He turned his cap around and pulled out his middle finger straight up. With a stern look, he said to Biwig, "go fuck yourself, biyatch!"
"What? How dare you speak to me like that! Who do you think you are?"
"They call me the DarkMaster, DJ Blazer, O.G.C. But you can call me Cyrus Splicer, fool! And you done gone pissed me off!"
"Whatever, you little asshole. Prepare to die!"
"Not before you!" Maria retorted.
"Hold up!" Cyrus said with a held up palm. "Before we shank you so badly that yo' momma won't even tell you're the same species, explain. What business do you have with me?"
"We found you special. You are from another dimension and we know that. We want to know how you're able to survive here and the secrets of what's behind your power. We were going to take you alive, but it's a shame. No matter; we're going to dissect you anyways. Look on the bright side, you won't feel a thing because you'll already be destroyed!"
Cyrus pulled out his Light Saber and Bastard Sword. "If I wanna be torn to pieces, I'd rather be in a river of piranhas, than with you spineless fools!" Cyrus shouted.
"Let's finished this," Fayt said.
Cyrus carried Nel over near the building while Cliff carried Dr. Leingod's body there as well. "Don't worry, you two," Cyrus said. "We'll make him pay."
With one disgusted look, Cyrus put on "Bitter Dance" from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time and charged into battle with his Klausian ally. Fayt and Cyrus teamed up with Fayt against Biwig. They used their Side Kick and Raptor's Revenge, but Biwig quickly evaded the footwork. Cyrus rushed at the commander, slashing and stabbing with both his swords, but the attacks missed. Fayt rushed and struck at the Vendeeni. It seemed his attack worked, and the alien staggered backward. As Fayt kept him busy, Cyrus noticed that his weapons were flashing red and blue. He charged up a symbological attack. Fayt continued to attack Biwig. Unfortunately, the enemy leapt back a distance and charged his disruptor rifle. He saw Cyrus, who was focusing his energy in the preparation for a spell, and locked on him. Suddenly, a large dark orb appeared over Biwig's head and the ground around him became shrouded in shadow. It was Dark Sphere, and Cyrus pulled out his weapons again. Fayt also entered the brawl. There was nothing Biwig could do at the moment as the attack began sucking up his strength. When the attack was over, Biwig quickly slashed at them with a large water dagger and regrouped. He used his Illusion Rifle. He put his flame on the barrel and shot upward. The attack caused some considerable damage to the two swordsman. Biwig then used the ice alteration of the same attack and the damage increased. Biwig walked over to Cyrus and pointed his rifle at him. "It's all over," he said smugly. "Time to die!"
"Noooooo!" Fayt yelled.
"What?" Cyrus thought. "I ain't dyin' like this. He gacked people for game, and he expects me to be another one of his victims? I'm fighting him for the people he killed and injured in his greed for power. Nel, Dr. Leingod, even the people on the Helre. I ain't goin down, not this easy!"
The commander opened fire at the shizznit. It seemed like all hope was lost. Cliff and Maria had already finished their opponents and saw the remaining Vendeeni fire his rifle. With every blast, the sand was picking itself up. Biwig laughed violently. "I'll admit, the boy had a mouth. Too bad he couldn't back it up. Now to annihilate the rest of you and my mission will be a success."
"Dream on, chump!" a voice shouted. Everyone was shocked. Biwig looked down and saw something that came as a nasty surprise. The dust cleared and the group stared at what appeared to be, a large, bat-like wing covering the ground.
"What the-! It can't be!" the Vendeeni commander yelped. The figure rose up and opened the one and only wing which was on his left side. The appendage was black and at the bottom, it was tipped in dark red. It popped right out of his trench coat. The antagonist stared at his opponent; his red eyes (darker than before) were piercing right through his soul. The only other person who was more surprised than Cliff, Maria and Biwig was Fayt. He knew the identity of the warrior.
It was Cyrus, but he wasn't himself. He leapt a few feet back from the commander. "This is for the torment that you have caused! All the people you hurt and killed will be avenged!" His dark power had shrouded Cyrus in a powerful sheet of energy. Except this time, it was even stronger than before. Biwig shot a valley of beams with his rifle, but the attacks bounced off the dark aura. "It's time to repent for your crimes, Biwig!" Cyrus grinned maliciously and used his boosted Shadow Slash. Before the Vendeeni could move, Cyrus had already came across the other side. Slowly, the enemy collapsed, dead by the time he hit the ground. The battle was over. The wing of the dark shizznit retracted back in his body and the warrior returned his swords back in his sheath and pocket. His power returned back to its normal level, leaving him feeling exhausted and a little disorientated. He doesn't know how, but he knew that he and his partners took down Biwig.
Fayt rushed to his father and Cyrus returned to Maria and Cliff. "Dad, dad!" Fayt shouted.
"...Forgive...me..." were the last words his father said. He strained and then died.
"Dr. Leingod," Maria said in a sad tone.
Sophia begins crying. "No, it can't be! Dad!" the blue-haired warrior screamed to the heavens, unable to believe what he just saw. Fayt also cries.
Cyrus shook his head, still can't believing this is taking place. "I could be doing somethin' right now. Unfortunately, I couldn't. Man this sucks!" He kicked at the ground.
Maria turned on the communicator. "Diplo… It's over," she said. "Transport us up."
"'Roger, Captain,'" Mirage said. "'We'll transport you up as soon as we can.'"
The group arrived on the ship. As soon as they transported, Cyrus felt a strain on the back of his left shoulder. But he made sure no one noticed. As Cliff and Maria took Nel to the sick bay, Fayt, Sophia and Cyrus took Dr. Leingod's lifeless body to one of the rooms. "Dad, what's on Moonbase? Answer me, Dad."
There was no answer. Sophia entered the room in her pink spell caster outfit. She saw her best friend mourning the death of his father "Fayt..."
Maria and Cliff, after taking Nel to the sick bay, entered the room to deliver the condition of the Elicoorian. "She'll be fine," Maria said. Cliff took a seat in a chair near the door.
"Really?" Cyrus asked. "That's a relief."
The room fell silent as Maria watched Fayt sitting in the chair next to his deceased father. "How long to you plan on moping around?" she asked in a frustrated tone.
"That's a mean thing to say!" Sophia shouted in his defense. "His father just died, you know! How about a little more sympathy?"
"Fayt, your father left something to the two of us!" Maria told Fayt. "What are you going to do about it?" The youth didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head away from the group. "I don't care what you do. I'm going to Moonbase. …Even if I have to go alone!"
"Maria, please..." Cyrus said.
"Cyrus––"
"Sorry," Fayt said, inadvertently cutting Maria off. "I'll go, too…to Moonbase. We'll go get whatever my father left behind."
Maria wiped a tear from her eye. "Good," she said.
"Fayt… Maria has a point," Sophia replied. "It's not like you to be so depressed. But…don't be too hard on yourself."
"Ok… I'm sorry for worrying you."
"That's okay."
"All right," Cliff said in an eager tone as he got off the chair. "So it's off to Moonbase, then?"
"Yeah, that's the plan," Maria answered. "I've already given the crew the order."
"All aboard is goin' aboard, huh?" Cyrus said.
"Moon…base?" Nel's voice replied. Everyone turned around and saw the Aquarian leaning on the doorway "I wonder what kind of place it'll be. Can't wait."
"Huh, what did you just say?" Fayt asked.
"Do you know what you're saying?" Maria asked. "You might never make it back home again!"
"I realize that," Nel said.
"I don't think you understand what you're getting into!" Cliff said.
"Fo' reals," Cyrus replied.
"We were able to end the war with Airyglyph thanks to all of you," Nel explained. "But now that the war is over, there is no longer a need for me there. So, now, I'd like to help you all out. That's the only way I can pay you back for helping to end the war."
"Yeah, but..." Fayt was speechless.
"But if you feel that I'll just get in the way, I'll leave."
"You won't be in the way, but still…" Cliff was trying to think about what to say. However, his train of thought was interrupted by a certain young shizznit. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"You, being in the way, Nel?" Cyrus asked rhetorically. "Like that'll ever happen. We need someone like you."
"That's true," Fayt said.
"You two sure?" Sophia asked.
"Yeah. I think so. C'mon."
"You already have my vote," Cyrus said.
"Fine," Maria said. "If that's how you two feel, I've no objections."
"Ok, what can you do?" Cliff thought out loud.
"Welcome back to the crew, Nel," Cyrus said.
"It's great to be back."
A loud sound was heard behind them. It was Maria's transmitter. She opened the channel and answered. "Yes?"
"'Incoming communication from the Aquaelie…'" Mirage reported. "'What do you want to do?'"
"I'll be right there."
The group followed the captain to the bridge of the ship where Commodore Wittcomb was already on screen. "'I see you all made it back safely,'" he said. "'That's a relief.'"
"Not all of us, Commodore," Fayt said. "My father was killed by Biwig before we got here."
"'I'm sorry about your father.'"
"Thank you..."
"'However, all we have now is you. This may have dashed the Federation's hopes.'"
"What do you mean?" Maria asked. "What do you know that we don't?"
"'I can't tell you over the comm link. Can you come over to my ship?'"
"If that's okay with you? Quark and the Federation aren't exactly friends."
"'The Aquaelie is my ship, and on my ship, I decide who is friend or foe. And if anyone objects, they can visit the brig while you're here.'"
"I have no objections," Cyrus whispered to Nel. "Do you?"
"I think we can trust him," she said.
"We'll be there shortly," Maria said.
"'Excellent,'" Commodore Wittcomb replied.
"Commodore..." Fayt said. "I have a request."
"'What is it?'"
"We want to go to Federation Station #5—Moonbase. But they would never let us near them on a Klausian ship. I'd like to ask you to take us there in the Aquaelie."
"'Moonbase? That's where Dr. Leingod's research lab is.'"
"That's right… 'Go to Moonbase' were my father's dying words. I think he meant for us to go there and find the truth."
"'Yes, but after Dr. Leingod was captured, we searched the lab's database thoroughly. Yet, we did not find any useful information.'"
"Still, we'd like to check for ourselves. You might've overlooked something, and there may be some things that would only interest us."
"That's right," Maria agreed. "And there are most likely things in there that only we would understand."
"'Right, understood,'" Commodore Wittcomb replied. "We'll transmit a homing beacon. Bring only the minimum number of personnel required.'"
"Thank you, Commodore," Fayt said in appreciation.
"'Then we have a deal?'"
"Yes," Maria said.
"'Oh, and about Earth… You had better brace yourselves.'"
"Huh?" Fayt said confused. The communication ended.
"'Brace yourselves'?" Sophia repeated in bewilderment.
"Wonder what he means?"
"I suppose we'll find out when we get there," Cliff simply replied.
"Only we will go to Aquaelie," Maria said. "Stand down weapons and wait until further notice. Mirage and Marietta, take care of her while we're gone."
"Roger," Mirage said.
"Captain…I mean, Maria…" Marietta began. "Don't worry about us, we'll take care of things here. We have Lancar and the others to keep us company. Be careful."
"Thanks."
The group left the room and traveled to the transporters. However, Cyrus and Fayt were cut off from their comrades by Lieber. He passed by Maria with a small smile, but had a ferocious look when it came to Cyrus and Fayt. "You two better make sure she's safe, but keep your distance."
"How can we do that if we're keeping an eye on her?" Fayt asked.
"Yeah," Cyrus said. "I mean, we have to stay close, B. How will she be safe."
"You listen, here," Lieber shouted. "It's because of you two that Maria is in peril to begin with. You, and especially your winged friend here, better not do anything so much as touch the captain."
"Hold up. Did you just say 'winged friend?'" After repeating that, Cyrus chuckled. "Boy Liebizzle, I thought you were trippin' before. But now I know your mind must've gone off, too."
"You don't remember?" the gunner said in shock.
"Hey, you two," Maria called. "We gotta go."
"Yeah, we'll be right there," Fayt said.
"Lieber said that he wanted to tell you somethin'," Cyrus replied with a sneaky grin. Lieber turned to the captain and began stuttering non-understandable syllables. Maria cocked her head in confusion. "Now's our chance," the shizznit told Fayt. The blue-head nodded and they dashed to the transporter room. Steeg smiled at the act, seeing it to be rather humorous. "The old slip, works every time," Cyrus told him with a thumbs up.
"Okay, you guys," Steeg said. "Transporting in less than a minute." After that period of time, the group had been transported. The nervous Lieber became furious. He began to have a fit. Steeg looked back and laughed. "They did pull a fast one on you, didn't they?" Steeg replied.
"Shut up!" Lieber yelled. The angry Klausian walked back to his room. Stomping and muttering profanities directed to the swordsmen, his sworn enemies for Ms. Traydor's affection.
Meanwhile on the Aquaelie, the group had arrived on the ship and greeted by one of the Federation officers. "So, it's Dr. Leingod's son, the Splicer child and esteemed members of Quark."
"That's right," Maria said. "And who are you?"
"Please forgive my manners," he saluted. "I am Lieutenant Fields. I serve under the command of Commodore Wittcomb. The commodore has bade me to show you around."
"I see. Thank you. In that case, I apologize for the rush, but could you please take us directly to the commodore?"
"Very well. Please follow me."
"All right, let's go. There's no time to waste." The group followed the officer to the conference room.
Cyrus noticed that Fayt had something on his mind again. "Alright, what's wrong?" the youth exasperated. "I know that the death of a loved one is hard to cope with, but I have a feeling it's somethin' other than that, homes."
"Cyrus, let me ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Do you remember the battle with Biwig?"
"Who could forget. I was finally able to use Dark Sphere and you and I kicked his ass."
"Is that all?"
"Well, for some reason, I only remember that I was about to get shot. Then the next thing I knew, I was standing over his fallen body feeling like shit. What happened?"
"You were the one that delivered the finishing blow and... you sprouted a wing!"
"Wha-?" Cyrus was surprised. "There must be something... I'll check it out after our chat with the commodore."
"I hope it's not serious."
"Hey, I'm hoping the same thing. I mean it's not everyday some guy sprouts an aerial appendage from his back."
The team of five arrived at the Conference room where Commodore Wittcomb stood behind the table. "I bid you welcome to the Aquaelie, the most powerful vessel of the Pangalactic Federation. It is an honor to meet you in person."
"As it is our's," Maria said.
"Now let's get down to business, commodore," Cyrus said.
"Yes. Please have a seat." The group took their chairs and listened intently. "It will take a while to reach Moonbase. Let me explain the situation in the meantime. The three of you in particular
have been on Elicoor for some time and probably know little of what is going on."
"What does he mean by 'the three of us'?" Cyrus pondered. "I guess originally, he means Maria as well. Seeing that she's the captain and has been with us for around a week. A lot of things can change in such a short time."
"Please, fill us in," Fayt said.
"The Earth and the entire galaxy are facing an unprecedented threat."
"You're not talking about the war with Vendeen and Aldian, are you?"
"That is correct. I imagine you are also aware of those powerful bursts of energy?"
"Yes, exceeding magnitude 3, right?" Maria asked.
"They were aimed at Earth. The planetary defense shield managed to partially block the attack. But it still caused considerable damage."
"It was too much for the planetary defense shield?" Fayt asked.
"Yes, and those energy bursts were a message. A declaration of war."
"Declaration of war? What alien power has the ability to mount such a devastating, long-range attack?"
"A new power, previously unknown to us, emissaries of an entity known as the Creator. They call themselves the Executioners—Enforcers of the Creator—come to sentence us to our death."
"The Creator?" Sophia asked.
"Yes, it is not uncommon for dictators to claim divine origin. Their message states that our science has delved into forbidden areas, and thus the Creator has decreed our annihilation."
"That's insane," Cliff said.
"I guess there's no real difference from here to where I live," Cyrus said.
"Sounds like a plain old invasion to me," Fayt said.
"We believe that is correct," Commodore Wittcomb said. "They are, without a doubt, a power to be reckoned with. They have technology far exceeding our own."
"So in other words, we'd better say our prayers," Cliff replied.
"Take a look at this." The commodore turns on a hologram of the Earth and the space around it. "This is the Earth. And this shows our attempt to use our space stations to trace the route of the energy blasts." Several lines appear on the screen, each one hitting the planet. "Their energy blasts passed through an unknown dimensional space—faster than the speed of light."
"An unknown dimensional space?" Maria asked.
"Indeed. The blast traveled through neither subspace nor gravitic space. This alone hints at the capabilities of their technology. Shockingly, the energy pulses were released from an uncharted region over 50,000 light-years away."
"50,000 light-years?" Fayt said in shock.
"That's bypassing all the known laws of the universe in a bombshell!" Cyrus replied.
"Yes, the data stunned us," Commodore Wittcomb said. "Our analysts said the same thing. Several of them rushed to get their eyes examined."
"Have they sent out a fleet?" Maria asked.
"We don't know. If there is one, we haven't detected it. Still, a declaration of war has been made. Surely it will not be long. An attack by a fleet of such power would spell trouble for the Federation."
"This is bad," Fayt replied.
"So this means Klaus, Vendeen, and Aldian are all in deep trouble," Cliff said.
"Yes…" the Commodore said worryingly. "And it seems Vendeen was attempting to capture and use the Federation's secret weapon. They would consider any offer of cooperation with the Federation an insult."
"Secret weapon... me," Fayt said.
"Correct. That is what I've been told. Apparently, Dr. Leingod and his team developed you after they detected the Executioners' presence years ago. But frankly you do not look like much of a weapon to me. How can a man of flesh and blood fight a fleet of starships?"
"Yet it was I who destroyed the battleship Invisible," Maria pointed out.
"What?" the Commodore gasped. "You did that?"
"Yes. Like Fayt, I too, am the product of Dr. Leingod's genetic engineering."
"I see. Is that so? Only upper echelons of the Federation were privy to Dr. Leingod's top secret research. But if what you say is true, if there is another, then we may have a chance."
"Unfortunately, our powers are still unreliable. We can't just invoke them whenever we want."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Neither of us can fully control our powers."
"Perhaps the late Dr. Leingod placed some means of security on you. Losing him was a great tragedy."
"Another reason we need to get to my father's lab on Moonbase," Fayt said.
"Yes, but as I said before, the lab's database has already been searched. Don't expect too much."
"Maybe you're right," Maria said in agreement. "When I investigated the lab before, I found no information of that kind."
"…If we cannot rely on your powers, we shall have to face the Executioners with what we have."
"Aren't we a motley bunch..." Cyrus said under his breath.
"Though there is just one more thing..." the Commodore said.
"What's that, sir?"
"I'm having a hard time to believe that you came from another universe."
"Is that so?"
"In some way, it all would make sense... The mysterious file that was just found in the computers a few weeks ago, the space-time distortion observed on Hyda IV right before the attack... Is it true?"
Cyrus thought about what to say. "If I say yes, I may put this universe in even worse shape than it already is. If I say no, everything will stay at its present course. I guess I have no choice..." "No. Though, I can't blame them. It's not everyday someone's info happens to pop up on a galactic computer at the same time an anomaly occurs."
"True. Though why would the Vendeeni go out of their way to retrieve you, too?"
"Who knows, who cares," Cyrus shrugged.
At that moment, an announcement was made on the speakers. "'Bridge to Commodore,'" a male operator called.
"Yes?"
"'We have a transmission from Federation Station #9.'"
"Give me a display."
"'Right away, sir.'"
On the projector, it shows the commander of the space station. Unfortunately, the screen is scrambled by the current attack and the man barely came in. "'Commo…, …'re under att…k by…a ……oup ……them…lves the… Enforce…! Req…ing immediate—Gah… Th…those aren't …ips! Wha… are…? Are …ey gods?'" The communication closed down. Even though they couldn't see or hear him, the scene was loud and clear, the Executioner's were on the assault.
"'We've lost the signal," the male operator said. "Report from Headquarters: Federation Station #9…has been obliterated!'"
"Obliterated?" Commodore Wittcomb was in horrified, even after he repeated it.
"'Orders, Commodore?'" There was no response by the Commodore as he began to think about his next move. "'Commodore?'"
"Yes, yes, I know. Maintain our present course to Earth." Everyone in the room was silent. "Not a ship? Did I hear him say what I think he said? What could this mean?"
"I think he's saying the Executioner's are gods," Cliff replied.
"No god would kill as they do," Nel quoted under her breath.
"This is getting old," Cyrus started, "but 'god' my ass."
"Whatever they are, I fear we'll find out soon enough," Maria said.
"Yeah," Fayt said in agreement.
"We should go to the bridge," Commodore Wittcomb said. "We'll be able to learn more of our current situation up there."
"Normally, people stay away from such probs," Cyrus said.
"Lead the way," Cliff said. The group left the room and headed to the next transporter room. They arrived at the bridge, which reminded Cyrus of the other ships, both here and in the "fictional" universes.
"12 hours flight time to Earth," Lieutenant Fields told the Commodore.
"Okay. Connect me with Headquarters."
"Yes, sir! Connecting…"
"This is the Aquaelie calling Fleet Headquarters."
On screen, a male elder was shown sitting in a chair of a large room. "'Hermes, here,'" he said.
"This is Wittcomb, sir. What's our situation, Admiral?"
"'You probably already know, but we've lost Stations #8, #9, #31, #36, and #42. The enemy has not been identified, but we do know they are, in all likelyhood, headed straight for Earth.'"
"I see, sir. Our orders?"
"'Stay your present course. Other ships are being dispatched to block the enemy. Battleships and combat explorers have already been deployed. 162 ships are stationed around Earth, 112 around
Station #9, and 215 around Station #20.'"
"Understood, sir."
"'Oh, and Commodore? Word is the Enforcers have already attacked and destroyed Aldian.'"
"What?"
"'They were the closet to the enemy's point of origin. Though we were not friends, I mourn their loss. The same fate awaits us if we don't keep our wits. It's the most powerful threat the Federation has ever faced, yet in the past we've always managed to overcome difficulty. Godspeed, Commodore!'"
"Yes, sir."
"'Over and out.'" The transmission was closed.
"Wow," Cyrus said under his breath to Cliff. "We're in it deep."
"You could say that again," the Klausian replied.
"We must go to Federation Station #5 at once and carry out our mission," the Commodore said.
"Right," Fayt agreed. The swordsman turned to his comrades. "You guys should get some rooms, I have a few questions I would like to ask."
"Are you sure," Sophia asked.
"Don't worry, Sophia," he reassured. "It won't take long."
"Okay."
"Well, I have something to look into anyway," Cyrus said.
"Alright," Nel replied. The group parted ways and Fayt stayed behind. On the lower level, Cyrus checked into an empty room on the eastern wing and turned on the computer. At the moment, he had something important to check out.
Author's Note 1: Please don't criticize me on the next chapter. I forgot about some stuff in genetics.
Part 16.3: Cryptic Code
Cyrus started up the computer. He looked at many of the tools he found and saw them as useful for his research. There were microscopes, petri dishes, swabs and other materials. This was what he needed. If what he thinks is true, the answer to his abilities lie in his mitochondria, which also leads to his own DNA. Cyrus hooked up the equipment and opened a lab program. "Okay, now to find out the workings of my power," he said to himself. He opened his mouth and swabbed the side of his mouth. He was able to create a solution from some of the food he found in the lunchroom. He put the swab in the dish which sat on a tray under a microscope. "Now that my cells are in, I need to do one more thing," he thought. "One, I have to find someone else whose mitochondria I could compare to."
He left the room and went to the other side. He bought some new items and figured he could go to Maria's room, seeing as they haven't talked for a while. "Ding dong," Cyrus said as he entered."
"Oh, Cyrus."
"Maria, it's nice to see you." He looked at her computer which had some sort of information. "I thought I was busy. So, Maria..."
"Yeah?"
"You said you found a file on me?"
"Yeah, that's right. You want to see it?"
"If it's not too much of a prob." Maria began typing the various keys. In less than a few seconds, a small folder popped up. Cyrus looked at it. Sure enough, it was his background alright. "Wow," he gasped. "They have it in every little detail."
"Yes. There's also something else."
"What?"
"Before you arrived, there was another person just like you. Unfortunately, the data on her was stolen not too long after she appeared."
"You mean Lystara?"
"Yes. I wonder how you know?"
"It's a thing..."
"But tell me, Cyrus, why are you here?"
"Huh?" Cyrus said.
"I know you didn't come here just to say 'hi,'" Maria said with a flat look.
Cyrus was pretty nervous. "Um... uh... It's pretty hard to say..."
"What is it?"
"Okay, here it goes... You see Maria... I need you mitochondria..."
Maria was pretty shocked when she heard that. "What do you mean?"
"No wait. The reason I need them is to compare my cells to yours. See, I remember that Fayt said I grew some sort of appendage. And this symbology of mine is... enigmatic to say the least. If I could just borrow one sample, then I may find the cause. I believe it's a some sort of mutation, though I'm not completely certain. If you don't want, I understand."
Maria thought this long and hard. "Okay," she answered. "But I'm coming, too. I would like to see if there is a similarity between us."
"Who wouldn't," Cyrus shrugged. "Well, let's go."
The two went back to the shizznit's room where Maria was impressed that Cyrus was making a small lab with such few materials. It wasn't really one that was "modern," but it still worked out. "Okay, now say 'ahhh,'" the young swordsman said wryly. Maria opened her mouth and Cyrus swabbed the side. He put the plate in another dish filled with the solute and began looking at his sample. "Let's take it in for a closer look," he said. Cyrus steadily drew the lens closer to the cells. Then he went to the computer and turned on the electron option. As soon as he did, both saw something odd on Cyrus mitochondria. Just as he figured, strange symbols were observed.
"I see you have them, too," Maria said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Take a look at mine," the blue-head said in a simple tone.
Cyrus opened took off his petri dist and began scanning Maria's cells. It was just like in his. The mitochondria showed symbological patterns. Except these were different. "Holy hizzle," Cyrus exasperated.
"Normally, the symbology resides in the DNA of a certain character. However, our genes are actually on the mitochondrion."
"I wonder why that is?" Cyrus asked.
"The mitochondrion is the source of the genetic material of every living thing. It is also responsible for creating energy that keep the cells active."
"So what you're saying is the energy we receive also powers up the dormant symbological abilities."
"Seeing that being the case, that is why Fayt and I have that mutation."
"That would explain that wing everyone keeps talking about. It's a mutation that occurs during high concentrations of energy. So that means..." Cyrus knew what Maria was getting to. He only smirked and folded his arms. "You still believe my powers were manipulated, do you?"
"That seems to be a likely possibility."
"Naw, that can't be."
"You're pretty laid back."
"Yeah, well... you know. I just figured that it doesn't really matter."
The room became silent. "Get some rest, Cyrus. Tomorrow is the day we look into the Leingod base. Maybe we'll get the answers we're looking for."
"You got it... Maria." Maria looked back at Cyrus and smiled. The dark-clothed teenager smiled back as a response before the blue-haired leader of Quark left the room. "You know," he thought, "she's cute when she smiles." He put away the equipment and turned off the computer. Cyrus then turned his MP3 Player on to "Move!" by Public Enemy and Sista Soulja and went to bed.
Author's Note 2: Cyrus just showed us the depth's of his latent power in Intergalactic Interlude. Note however that this is not "God-like." Like Fayt, Cyrus' powers take time to mature. It happened before in Chaotic Darkness, Unleashed Destruction. However, that occurred as a result of Fayt's manifestation. His activation of the destruction gene caused the dark shizznit to loose control of his abilities. In Cryptic Code, he has uncovered that a mutation is responsible for this. This wing will only appear on a regular basis (not an 'every time' thing like you'd see in Baten Kaitos). Sorry, just thought you'd want a small review. This is to clear the fact that Cyrus isn't stronger or weaker than our favorite blue-haired swordsman; he's around the same level. (Hope this doesn't affect any reviewers and fans).