Shout Outs...
The Crazy Authoresses CAT and AMS: -Is menaced- Ah! I got ya, I got ya! And thanks.
Maxmagnus20019: Word dat. No need to have Goku on the squad.
Dragon Chyld: Thanks for hanging with me partner. And yeah, the mentor thing was kinda what I was aiming for, but more of a street wisdom than old man's wisdom.
Fear in my gut of being blown to bits aside I didn't like the idea of running away, even with the Vendeeni blowing the planet apart. I was always one to dig my heels in and put my fists up rather than put up my heels and pump my fists as I run like hell. But I wasn't stupid. I know what the saying 'the better part of valour' means.
Doesn't mean I like it...
"Hey!" Fayt said as we entered the corridor, a sea of bodies running as we saw a pair of familiar faces in the crowd.
"Auntie Ryoko and Uncle Robert!" Sophia called out as we rushed up to them, the older pair stopping and turning about as we ran up.
"I'm glad you three made it." Robert said, smiling.
"You guys too Dad." Fayt replied.
"What a relief." Ryoko said as she and Sophia hugged briefly. "I was so worried."
"What's going on Dad? Is Aldian attacking?" Fayt asked.
Robert shook his head, thinking a moment. "Probably not. From the looks of their weapons, it's most likely..."
"Most likely... what?"
"Never mind, we must get out of here."
"The guy's gotta point." James piped up. "Besides, I want to get someplace where an alarm is not blaring at me."
Robert nodded once and smiles. "Agreed. Let's go." And with that all five began to move down the hall.
Seriously, that freaking alarm was driving me nuts! It's like the audio equivalent of Chinese water torture.
The five, with surprising calmness, approached a line, a solider at the end of it. The guard held a rifle as he looked to the group. "Please wait here." He said.
"Is something wrong?" Dr. Leingod asked.
"There's a long line to use the transporter up ahead. You'll have to wait your turn here." The guard replied.
"I see. We'll wait then."
And that was the cue for an explosion.
An explosion shook the corridor. Somewhere a voice cried out. "Damn! How did they get in this far?"
James stood in front of the group as they turned to see what was going on. "Looks like someone doesn't want to wait in line."
"Get going! Keep moving forward!" The guard cried out aiming his weapon.
Another joined him as Sophia turned to Fayt. "Let's get out of here!"
"No arguments from me!" James said.
"No kidding." Fayt added. A louder explosion sounded, as two fishlike men in robes ran out into the corridor.
"There they are!" One shouted out. James bit his lip briefly.
Auron taught me how to deal with these guys, block their shots with my sword as I charged them, pull out some wicked ass moves and make fish fillets. Only one problem with that though...
I was lacking a sword at that point. That left Plan B.
"Run for it!" A guard called out as he opened fire, his shots missing just barley as a Vendeeni marksmen returned fire, killing him.
The fact that the fallen soldier didn't even bleed since the wound was seared closed enforced the decision to use Plan B.
"Robert..." Ryoko began looking at her husband.
"Yes, as I suspected."
I even gave it a nifty name...
"Dad?" Fayt cried out, Robert turning to the young men and young woman.
"Run you three!" Dr. Leingod called out.
The Jennings-Super-Ultimate-Technique!
"Uncle Robert?" Sophia said, reaching out and tightly gripping Fayt's arm.
"Just get out of here!"
"But..." Fayt said before he was cut off.
"Get moving now! You have to protect her!"
Leaning and using this Technique is very simple. Even a child could do it!
"That's right, hurry! Don't worry about us!"
"And what are you going to do? Invite them home for tea and crumpets?" James blurted out.
Smiling wryly Robert shook his. "Maybe. We'll be along to the evacuation facility soon."
"Promise Dad?" Fayt asked hopefully.
"Promise!"
Jennings-Super-Ultimate Technique, GO!
"Let's go you guys!" Fayt said nodding to us.
"Okay." Sophia said as James simply nodded.
RUN AWAY!
Fayt, James and Sophia turned and ran down the corridor as fast as they could.
...Now, to find a Super-Ultimate Technique where I stand and fight, not run like a scared rabbit being chased by a hungry carrot.
Man, I have weird dreams...
"They're getting away! Use the Incapacitator!"
The three ran as fast as they could, breathing heavily until they heard thumping noises behind them. "Guys, we got company!" James said turning about. Fayt muttered something under his breath finding a piece of pipe loosened from the bombardment and picking it up. Sophia found her own piece, but James...
Two freaking pieces of pipe, and none left over for me. Dang it! Well if there was one thing I was good at it was making up on-the-spot plans to get me through.
This one I pulled from a game. Or really a series. You may have played one. You maybe a fan of the whole series. It was simple really.
The four-legged and spider like Incapacitators charged over to them. Gripping his pipe like a sword, Fayt swung his at the nearest robot's head, doing some damage before dodging a swing. Sophia screamed and ducked under the second spider-bot, swinging her pipe more clumsily and with less effect.
Unarmed James waited for his foe to attack first, jumping above it's haymaker swing, landing and jumping up on to it's head before jumping up and stomping on it's head, over and over and over and...
Yeah... I went Super Mario Bros on it...
James finally stopped once the robot's head was caved in. By this time Fayt's opponent was down for the count and the third robot was swinging at the wildly dodging girl. James charged over stepping over the robot's body as Sophia fell backwards onto her rump before jumping and landing on it's head, rolling off as Fayt charged in with an overhead swing which caved in the dented skull of the machine.
"Thanks guys." Sophia said as Fayt offered her a hand up. She took it and used it to pull herself up.
"Oh great... More trouble guys!" James said as another robot walked over to them.
"Damn it." Fayt said, holding his pipe in a defensive posture. Sophia inched back behind the two guys as James crouched into a fighting stance.
"Fayt... James... I'm scared."
"Don't worry. Just stay behind us."
"Yeah, it's no problem!"
"O-okay guys."
The metal beast reared up as if to attack shortly before a large foot planted it's self onto it's back, forcing it down, the weight of the foot's owner enough to destroy it.
"What the heck?" Fayt called out, looking beyond the robot.
"Hey Fayt, Sophia, You okay, you hurt?" Looking up the three saw Peppitia, on the shoulder on Ursus. James grinned and tipped his hat up.
"What am I, a week old pizza?" James said, tilting his head up. Peppita smiled as she hopped down.
"James! Long time, no see!" She said.
"You guys know each other?" Fayt asked, turning to his friend.
"Yeah, but let's not talk here. What are you doing here though Peppita?." James said turning to the young girl.
"We came down to see what all the racket was about and saw you guys in trouble." She said.
"Lil' Lady!"
"What do you want Ursus?" The girl asked as she turned about. She took a step back as she saw the trio of robots watching them. "What the?"
"Great... Where's a can opener when you need one?" James asked putting his fists up.
"Man, this is not what we need right now!" Peppita said, falling into a fighting stance. "Ursus, take care of that one! Let's go you guys!"
"Wha!" Fayt called out as Peppita leaped up into a wall, planting her feet against it and leaping feet first into one robot. Ursus let out a battle cry and jumped into the air, landing on the second with a belly flop. The second was destroyed, the first survived and took a swipe at the girl that had hit it, but James ran forward, jumping into the air and landing on the damaged head, stomping three times before stepping away. Fayt met the third in mid-charge, swinging the pipe upwards and catching it's skull before swinging back down smashing the head in.
For an advanced race sending out robots to capture people you'd expect the Vendeeni to make SOMETHING that can't be destroyed by pipes and jumping on it's head. Guess fish isn't brain food...
"There's more?" Peppitia said in confusion as another three ran towards us. Ursus let out wordless call as he jumped up landing on the first with an elbow drop. The second met Fayt's makeshift weapon as it was smashed to bits, and the third was stomped on by Peppita and James, surviving the dual attack... to be hit and destroyed by an overhead swing by Sophia. James whistled softly and gave a thumbs up.
"Not bad. I give it seven and a half." He said smiling.
"What?" Sophia asked breathing heavily, the whole ordeal weighing down on her nerves.
"You lose points for lack of a witty comment and/or battle cry."
"Hey!" Sophia said putting her hands on her hips. "This is serious! How can you joke around at a time like this?"
"Simple. If I didn't joke around like this," James began crossing his arms. "I'd probably be screaming my head off! We have to keep our cool, I just spout out one-liners to help me do that."
"Oh..."
"Let's not worry about that now." Peppita said walking up to Sophia as Fayt and Ursus walked over to join them. "We have to get out of here before more of those things get here. It's already a compete disaster over that way." She added pointing the way Fayt and his friends came from. "Let's go!"
"A complete disaster?" Fayt said before trying to run the way he came, Sophia stepping into his way.
"Hey, wait a sec!"
"But my parents!"
"Hold on my man!" James said joining Sophia in halting Fayt's movements.
"Forget it, didn't you here Peppita?" Sophia said shaking her head. "It's too dangerous back that way!"
"But...!"
"Forget it!" Sophia countered looking sternly at her friend.
"She's right, I'm all up for charging into the breach..." James began standing behind Sophia. "But this is suicide!"
"Come on you guys, I already said it was too dangerous!" Peppita called out as she wandered back to the group.
"Please stop him, he says he's going back!" Sophia added as James chewed his lip nervously.
"What? Back... there?"
"Mom and Dad are back there, I have to go help them!"
"Cool it Fayt!" James said gripping his friend's shoulder with a hand. "Getting yourself killed is NOT going to help!"
Fayt growled and slapped the hand away as he moved forward, Peppita moving to bar his path. "Outta my way!"
"He's right! It's an inferno back there, you'll be fried!"
"It's way too dangerous!" Sophia added as James moved in front of Fayt again.
"Come on man! We need to get out of here! There's nothing we can do right now!"
"C'mon you guys, get out of the way!"
"Ohhhhh! That's it! Ursus!" Peppita called out.
The big man nodded in understanding and moved towards Fayt, lifting him up like an unruly child. "Let me go! Let me go!" Fayt cried out.
"Look, we'll all die if we don't get out of here, now!" Peppita yelled out. Ursus nodded and carried the blue-haired boy away, Peppita following. James sighed and shook his head before following, Sophia beside him.
"He'll thank us. Someday..."
"Yeah..." Peppita added sadly before following Ursus.
Thankfully Ursus was on hand during that whole thing, because I doubt I could have moved Fayt by my lonesome, he knows how to dig in his heels. Ursus didn't set his down until we reached the pad. All Fayt could do was stare out back the way we came until we transported away. I...
I don't blame him. I know that... if they were still alive... if my Mother and Sister were down there I would charge down head first to save them, even if the Grim Reaper himself was waiting for me...
Still... Suicide is a bad tactic.
"Welcome to Inuba Shelter #5." A Soldier said cheerfully despite the situation. "This is an evacuation shelter located under Hyda IV." He continued, saluting briefly. "Please wait in your assigned rooms until the rescue ship arrives. You are allowed to move freely about the facility, but there are some restricted areas. Please refer to the consoles or the nearest official for detailed instructions."
The group of five stood there for a moment before Peppita stepped forward and nodded. "All right then..." She walked off the platform and looked over her shoulder. "Well, we're going now." Fayt looked away for a moment a look of anger on his face. She sighed and headed towards the door. "Hey... Cheer up." She said, her voice sounding oddly hollow. She left the room, Ursus following after her.
"Fayt..." Sophia began, sounding as if she didn't know what to say next.
"...Shall we go? There's nothing left to do here anyway." The blue haired boy said.
"Uh, yeah." Sophia replied lamely. "I'm sure your parents are OK, don't worry."
"Yeah, besides..." James added walking in front of Fayt, turning to face him. "Your old man has a good head on his shoulders. I think he knows what he's doing."
"...Yeah, I know. Let's go."
The three started towards the door before the soldier interrupted them. "Oh, one second please. You've been assigned to room #506. Remember that."
"Okay, 506. Got it." Fayt said nodding.
"I expect the rescue transports will be here soon, please try to relax and wait." The soldier added.
"Okay." Sophia said, bowing in respect.
We wandered about for a while after that. Rather then find our own room we searched around for other survivors. Of course we stumbled into the Rossetti's room...
Part of the script you know...
"I'm just glad that everyone is okay." Piccolotto said as Fayt and his friends entered. "Alright, time to discuss business plans..." After that he looked over and noticed the three friends.
"What? Fayt?" Peppita said looking at the three.
For the next little while we swapped tales, starting with how I knew Peppita, moving on to how Fayt knew her (Which I 'didn't' know... or rather wasn't supposed to know since I wasn't around during her little autograph signing), to how the Rossetti Troupe escaped here to our own journey...
"Ahhh, your parents..." Piccolotto began sadly.
"Ah well, what can you do, hey?" Gonnella the annoying clown piped up rather cheerfully. "Hey, at least your still alive, eh?"
"Ahh, Gonnella!" Peppita scolded. "You should really watch your tongue!"
"No, it's okay. It's just like he said." Fayt began. "Even if I left to help them, I wouldn't be able to do anything."
"Now he talks some sense..." James muttered crossing his arms.
"If only I was little stronger..." The blue haired boy continued.
"Fayt..." Sophia muttered, again not knowing what to say.
"Strength is not enough." Ursus said shaking his head. "You can't beat them."
"He's right, it's not your fault." Dulcinea added her own arms crossed. "I bet they were professional soldiers... There's nothing we can do against people like that."
"And you know..." Piccolotto began. "Just because they didn't make it to this evacuation facility doesn't mean your parents are dead. You know they might be hiding out somewhere. Don't give up so soon."
"Or they might have been captured or something, eh?"
"Gonnella!" Peppita cried out at the clown.
"It's all right. If they've been captured then you can go rescue them." Ursus added.
"Anyway, you'll just have to wait a little longer." Piccolotto said. "What can you possibly do right now? We don't even know what's going on."
"Simple. We survive." James said, moving to lean against a wall. "Regardless of whether they're hiding out or in a prison somewhere the only way you'll have a chance at meeting them again is if you survive to do it."
"Yeah... I guess your right... both of you." Fayt said sadly.
"Why don't you go to your room and rest a bit?" Dulcinea suggested kindly. "You're too tired to do anything right now."
"Or you could just rest here with us." Peppita said, walking up to Fayt. "Wouldn't you feel safer here with everyone?"
"Thank you, but I'm fine." Fayt said, shaking his head. "I want to think things over anyway."
"Uh, okay." Peppita replied, sounding a little saddened. Fayt and Sophia bowed slightly before leaving, James offering a tip of his hat before following.
We wandered around a bit more before we stumbled over Ursus standing as Peppita sat in a stairwell, looking a little saddened by the whole ordeal.
Then again, this has been rough on everyone, even me, but mostly Fayt. Watching Fayt mourn the possible loss of his parents just reminded me of the loss of my family. My Mother... My Sister... Both dead, buried side by side. And after that it felt as if my Dad died too... Before he always found time for us, I can remember playing ball with him, watching as he played softly for my little sister... even the looks he would give my mother... The snowball fights we had in winter, the picnics in the spring, swimming in the ocean in the summer, the leaves we would jump into during the autumn...
All of it is gone now. Now he's thrown himself into his music, touring almost every week of every month of every year. Losing your family hurts...
Something I know all too well...
"Hey, it's..." Fayt began as he noticed the young Rossetti in the stairwell. We walked a bit closer as she turned her head, noticing us.
"Hey Fayt." She said looking forward again. "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Do you think, maybe, I should have minded my own business that time?"
"That time?"
"Yeah, you know that time, when we were escaping and I had Ursus grab you." Peppita said, looking at her feet as if they were the most interesting things in the galaxy. "That's why you got separated from your family. It's all my fault, isn't it?"
"Peppita..." Sophia said, again not knowing how to continue.
"That's not true." Fayt said shaking his head. "I would have been killed if you guys hadn't stopped me. It's all right, don't worry about it."
"Oh... Well that a relief!" Peppita said relaxing a bit.
"Of course, why would you ask such a thing?"
"Umm... It's nothing. I just kinda worried about it." Peppita stood up before turning around. Smiling she walked past us, Ursus following behind her like a loyal bodyguard. After a moment Fayt turned to look at James.
"You know James, I... I should apologize. I didn't... I mean I wasn't thinking right back there..."
"Forget about it..." James said waving his hand. "This has been tough on us all, especially you. Seriously though..." He smiled and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I have to put up with it... because I know YOU'LL have to put up with me when I get worked up sooner or later."
"Oh really? I'll have to put up with Mr. 'Worrying Does Nothing' and his social issues?"
"MY social issues? This coming from Mr 'I Got Lost At Sea' himself!"
"Oh yeah! I'm not the one who's foot got stomped on my a Blade Raptor the other day!" Fayt added, talking about one of their battles in the Combat Simulator.
"Yeah? At least I didn't scream like a girl when a Blood Gargoyle dropped in on us!"
"Oh really? Then what about that thing with the Bone Dragon?"
"Like YOU helped in THAT situation!"
And unnoticed to both of the young men Sophia clutched her stomach with one arm, the hand of the other hand over her mouth as she tried to withstand a tidal wave of laughter.
Her will power didn't hold long...
Eventually we stumbled into our own room. Once we stepped in I finally noticed how tiring the whole thing was...
"Sophia, are you OK?" Fayt asked as the girl stumbled a bit.
"Yeah, I think." She replied.
"Your exhausted, you should rest."
"Yeah."
"We all are." James said, wandering over to a bed, and sitting down on it. "This has been a hell of a day..."
Nodding Fayt led Sophia to another bed, helping her lay down. Once she was on the bed he pulled the covers up for her. "Sorry." She muttered.
"Don't worry, just rest."
"Yeah... Things might be just as hectic tomorrow. We need to be ready, just in case." James said, getting under his covers, taking off his hat and putting it on his face.
"Umm... Fayt... James?"
"What is it?" Fayt asked as Sophia pulled the covers up to her nose.
"Will you two stay here until I fall asleep? I don't want to be alone."
"Sure, I'll stay. Just relax and go to sleep." Fayt said going to another bed and sitting down.
"Yeah, no worries. That's what friends are for right? We look after each other whenever our pals are worried or in trouble, right?" James added, lifting his hat to look at the young woman.
"Thanks. Both of you."
"Good night..." Fayt said as she lay down and closed her eyes. Once he was assured she was asleep he turned to his hat-wearing friend. "James?"
"Yo." He replied, hat back over his face.
"Do you think... I'll see them again?"
A moment of silence passed. "Who's to say? All I can say is the only way you will is if you survive."
"... I hope so. Maybe... Maybe they were captured..."
"If that's the case then we'll go rescue them. Now get some sleep."
"Hey! You say it like you don't even care!" Fayt half shouted, wincing as Sophia rolled around in her sleep.
"Of course I care! As much as anyone, but what can we do about it now? All we can do is rest and wake up in time for tomorrow." James tilted his hat up to look at his friend. "But if it's any help Fayt... Whatever happens I'm with you till the end. If you go off and charge a thousand of those guys I'll be with you the whole way. I'll be cursing you out the whole way, but I'll be there."
Smiling Fayt shook his head. "Thanks James. I mean it."
"Good. Now get some sleep. We need to deal with tomorrow before anything else." James yawned slightly before replacing his hat.
"Yeah. You know something...?"
"Hmm...?"
"I always wanted a brother. Someone like you, who's... well... so collected."
"Like I said before, worrying drags you down, makes all your problems seem bigger than they are. I'm nothing special really... I just take what lemons I get... make some lemonade. Then find someone's who ended up with vodka and have a party!"
Laughing a bit Fayt shook his head and got into the covers of his bed. "Whatever. Night."
"Night."
It took me half an hour to fall asleep after Fayt entered la-la land. The Helre was the next scene in this strange play I've been dumped into, and I was not looking forward to it. But what choice did I have? Auron said my choices would have an impact. So far... so far I've felt helpless. What impact have I made so far?
Again that woman haunted my dreams, so close to me yet I could not identify her. All I remember is soft skin and the smell of jasmine...
To those who have reviewed so far, thanks for all your support and encouragement. To those who haven't… I can always use more! Don't make me beg! Come on, C&C please!