The Whisperer
--
-Chapter
43-
-4 hours since beginning of operation-
He
stood motionless as she turned facing him. The surprise in her eyes
was all too easy to see. He completely forgot his condition as his
eye met hers. He realized in the short time he was gone he had almost
forgotten the way it felt to see her. The girl stood up and stared at
the blood spattered young man. She thought her eyes were playing a
trick on her. She had hoped for such a thing but doubted her luck.
She stepped forward trying to make sure what she saw was real. From
the way he looked and stood she was sure it was him but still moved
cautiously. She wondered why if it was him, he was just standing
there staring. She moved closer. She could feel her heart beating
faster in her chest. She saw the X shaped scar and even noticed the
Bonta-kun but was so unsure lately. She recognized the serious
expression, but the eyes were scarier than before. She was surprised
to see the hair had been cut. She decided to say something finally
finding her voice.
"Sousuke?" She stopped walking waiting for a response. The young man continued to stare at her. He could not find anything to say. Originally he was going to apologize but now it seemed very difficult. He didn't realize he wasn't breathing and had to take a breath.
"Chidori, I'm sorry for-"Before he could finish she leapt on him. Sousuke dropped the Bonta-kun and caught her. Not knowing what to do; he left his arms around her looking down as she clutched his shirt.
"Baka! You left too early. What kind of idiot doesn't make sure his girlfriend makes it home safely?" Kaname kept her forehead pressed against his chest. "I'm sorry Chidori but it was important." He loosened his grip when he felt her push away slightly. When she looked up at him she had tears in her eyes. Kaname was ashamed to be crying but the overwhelming emotion as well as the time of the month had gotten to her. His words though unintentional also hurt her a bit. She took a deep breath and steadied her breathing. She kept her head tilted somewhat forward keeping Sousuke from seeing her eyes. She stepped back so he would release her.
"So important that you would let me get killed for it?" Kaname's voice was lower, and darker. He could feel the sorrow and anger in her voice. He finally realized how his words must have sounded. "Negative it is just it was business I had to attend to quickly. I did not expect you to get involved so I did not suspect danger. I apologize for any inconvenience I may-"Kaname stopped him before he could finish again. Sousuke could feel the sting of where she just slapped him.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Inconvenience my life has become a nightmare since I met you! Now this happens and you act like it's nothing. Were you even telling me the truth when you said you loved me? Hell you're a soldier, an assassin, a guerilla, and whatever else you are! How do I know you just aren't trained to be able to say things so easily? I mean you kiss someone just for being told too who knows what else you would do!" Kaname crossed her arms over her chest and turned away. She could feel her eyes sting as tears began to pour out of them. She would not let him see her cry anymore so she would wait before she rubbed her eyes.
"Chidori…you are right there is no excuse but we have not time to talk about this now. I have important business I must tend to, but first I must get you out of here so will you please come with me?" Sousuke felt a strange pressure in his chest but ignored it. He looked out the door seeing if anyone was heading their way. He spotted no enemies but the Mithril soldiers were already heading over. "Chidori inform them who you are then go with them. I will continue my mission." Kaname ignored him still taking a moment to herself. She had already stopped crying and was just standing in anger. She could hear his footsteps as he departed. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and turned to the door. "Jer-"She stopped short this time. She walked over and picked up her Bonta-kun. She disregarded the blood thinking only a moment how would she remove the stains. She stared at the neck. Around the rough-looking dolls neck was a red ribbon. It was not in a bow but it was there. Kaname felt tears coming to her eyes again but pushed them away and ran out the door. "Sousuke!" She looked both ways when she was in the hall but did not see him. The soldiers noticed her shout and looked at her then continued working with the prisoners. "I'm sorry." She looked down in shame and disappointment at her actions. Mostly though she felt regret.
"Ms. Chidori?" One of the Mithril soldiers asked as they walked up to her. She turned to look at him the Bonta-kun still in her arms. "Yes, that me." The soldier saluted. "Sagara had requested that you be taken special care of. Will you please join the others as we get you out?" Kaname nodded and began following the other prisoners. She felt even worse now.
--
He ran down the hall at full speed. He left Kaname in the hands of Mithril so he was sure she would be safe. Now he had to find what he had come all this way for in the first place. He felt a very disturbing presence as he ran farther. It seemed to get closer the farther he ran. He had his preferred Glock with him as he ran on full alert. He turned the corner then dived immediately. A swishing noise could be heard as the air split. He looked up to find the silver-haired samurai in front of him.
"Col…" He
pointed his gun and fired only to have his bullets repelled by the
sword. "Sagara I see you really are alive and…well not well but
you understand. I see you are still using a gun. Pity." Sousuke
jumped back as Col swung the blade putting a crevice in the ground he
had cut. "I was pleased to heat I would get the honor of killing
you!" He slashed twice more. Sousuke ducked past the corner as the
two slashed made nothing of anything in its way even the wall. He
stuck out past the corner and fired three shots. Col blocked the
first one, the second one made him lose some force, and the third
bullet stopped him all together. He gripped the blade with both hands
trying to calm the vibration. He glared at Sousuke. "I see. So you
really plan on using those. Well then let's see if you can defeat
me." He once again slashed. Sousuke moved his head before he was
decapitated. He fired two more shots which Col had to dodge the
second rather than block it.
"I see have gotten better but
remember my blade is stronger than anything you have." Col
slashed horizontally. Sousuke ducked and prepared to fire but was
kicked back before he could even aim. Col rushed after him again but
had to dodge when Sousuke fired three more shots. In this hallway
each one had an advantage at a certain distance. He shot at him again
emptying his gun. The blade easily cut each on in half. Sousuke
released the clip and loaded in a new one but not before his enemy
was upon him. He pulled out his knife and held it up just as Col's
sword came down. Sousuke struggled with one hand to hold off the
weight if his opposition as well as the force of him pushing
down.
"So you were able to block me, tsk!" He pushed
forward then did a roundhouse kick. Sousuke just barely blocked it in
time but he did not hesitate as he brought his knee into his enemy's
groin then threw into the wall. He went to fire but Col moved and ran
down the hall while being fired at until he made it past the corner.
Sousuke reloaded his clip again. Around the corner his enemy was
recuperating from the devastating blow to his nether regions. He was
surprised at how low his enemy would go. "Sagara you bastard!"
He called into the hall but receive no response. He took a moment to
calculate how he would proceed in the battle when a grenade landed
next to him. He jumped away just as the small object exploded. The
small fragments that made it to him did not penetrate his thick coat.
He rose sheathing his blade waiting for Sagara to appear. When no one
came he walked towards the corner. The second a fragment of him
appeared Sousuke fired. Though this time he was less successful when
his bullets were blocked just by his enemy's sheath. He jumped back
just as the sword cut across where he was. He did not have time to
recover as he enemy continued his assault.
Finally Sousuke lost
his balance. 'There!' Col saw his opening and swung again more
precisely. Sousuke saw it too and brought his knife around to block
it. He was not as successful as part of the blade slashed into the
side of his body armor; the tip of the blade cut his right arm.
Though he blocked the attack he was thrown back a good distance from
the force of the slash flying about 10 meters from his enemy. He took
a moment with the distance to look at his equipment to make sure he
wasn't injured. It was not deep enough to injure him but it did
take the spot clear off. Anymore and it would have been deep enough
to cause damage and maybe eventually kill him if he did not close the
wound. He winced when he tried to stand up his knee reacting the
worst from his whole body. If this kept up he would be killed. A
strange sound ran through the hall approaching him. He realized in a
moment what it was ducking just in time. He watched as a few strands
of his hair floated down in front of him. He flipped backwards in
time to dodge another air-slicing slash. He brought the knife up to
block but had to dodge when it was cut right through. He tossed the
handle and fired at Col. He stepped to the side as the bullets passed
him. Sousuke followed up with a grenade. The small item never had a
chance as it was cut into small pieces. "Sagara you're too weak…
I'm finishing this."
Col sheathed his sword and took up a
stance. Sousuke held his gun up ready to fire again.
Sousuke could
not follow as he drew his sword. It looked as if he disorientated.
Sousuke fired as he saw this but his bullet after going a distance
did not seem too exist. A horrible sound came rushing at him. It
sounded as like a million swords swinging by each other. He fired
again paying close attention. He saw as the bullet went into a
million pieces then disappeared. Looking carefully he couldn't see
his enemy well either; like there was something messing up his view
of him. He felt a light wind press against his face and through his
hair. His eyes widened as he realized what it was. All this happened
in a second; he concentrated and brought up his arms just as it came
upon him. The force exploded when it collided. The attack spread
destroying the hall behind Sousuke as well as cutting him a number of
times on its way. He lowered his arms the figure of Col easily
visible to him now. The scratches to him were small very minor. When
he turned the hall had crevices all over it. His body was trembling
slightly from the sheer force of the attack. He bent slightly forward
coughing up a slight amount of blood. He looked back up at his enemy.
"Amazing isn't
it Sagara." Col sheathed his sword again. "We will fight another
time. Even before this fight I could tell you were not in top
condition. Till next time. He turned to walk away. Sousuke fired
taking advantage. The bullet was blocked in an instant. Sousuke did
not catch the movement as he was slammed hard and thrown into the
opposite wall. When he opened his eyes he found the tip of the
shining sword as his neck.
"I am giving you a chance you
ungrateful bastard. If you ever try that again I'll kill you. Next
time we meet whether you are healed or not I will kill you." He
pressed the blade in slightly, drawing a little bit of blood. Sousuke
stared at him with a single eye while breathing deeply. "I have an
idea…" Col grinned as he returned his sword to its scabbard. He
simply waved backwards as he walked away. Sousuke took a moment
before getting up and moving. He did not bother to check himself as
he went down the hall next him. He found a small room perhaps a
janitor's room that he entered. He did a few stretches before
sitting down in a chair at a desk. He listened into the radio
connection Mithril was using. The rescue units were having trouble
getting people out. The enemies apparently waited until Mithril was
deeper in before attacking. The battles' between arm-slaves were
getting more destructive causing vibrations within facility. He
suddenly felt a strange pain in his head. He saw images of dark
passages. It all ended in a strange room with a large figure inside
it. He blinked a few times when he could see again. His eyes
readjusted to the dark room. As he listened he cleaned and patched up
wounds. The blood dripping into his eye was becoming bothersome so he
patched up that spot first. He only did what was necessary at the
moment. Soon he stopped listening to the reports going around and
exited the room. He looked both ways then headed down the path to his
right. He stayed hidden behind the wall as a unit of enemy soldiers
ran by.
"Hey!" He jumped out calling them. They turned around
wondering what was instantly seeing him. As they brought up their
guns a grenade exploded below them. Sousuke fired at the remaining
few easily taking out the small group. He walked past the bodies as
he continued heading towards his destination.
--
Mao's
arm-slave destroyed a group of raptors that came from further down
the tunnel. Behind them more enemies were coming. They had traveled
deep into the facility destroying already almost a hundred enemies.
"We're running out of ammo!"
Kurz continued firing his
shots carefully taking out as many in single shots as he could.
Clouzot was destroying them with his cutter as they came up. The M9's
were providing support fire.
"This isn't good their all
around us and we're almost out of ammo." Kurz said as he loaded
in his final clip. Lillian fired into the group of enemy arm-slaves
covering Kurz. News from the Danaan said that they had defeated their
enemies but were a little damaged. Other than that the mission was
going well. They had unconfirmed information of further inside the
facility. Doors had also been revealed on multiple points along the
island. So far they confirmed four.
Suddenly a
Raziel leapt from the oncoming group of enemies. Kurz fired
destroying it even though it used the lambda driver his shot being
more powerful. "What the hell are we going to do?" He asked as
he tried to take out what he could. More of the Raziels were starting
to appear from each side and the enemies were becoming more
coordinated.
"These are ARX-9. They didn't put so much work
into the program for no reason!" As Clouzot said that he destroyed
a small portion of enemies in a single blast. They continued holding
out in the tunnel keeping an area of about 60 meters to themselves.
As they destroyed one enemy 2 more seemed to take its place in the
hoard that kept coming. Their ground was becoming shorter as stronger
arm-slaves and pilots appeared decreasing the effective barrier they
had made helping each other with gun-fire.
Click! Kurz
pulled the trigger a few more times. He was out and had no more
reloads. Mao shortly after finished off the last of her ammo. Lillian
was out of ammo a few minutes after her. The M9's were the last
able to fire into the group.
"Shit what do
we do?" Kurz hitting back a Raptor trying to leap on him. Holding
up his knife Clouzot took up an offensive stance. "Don't forget
what I just said. Everyone get ready. Let's see exactly how far
these arm-slaves can go, and exceed that." Everyone stood ready for
an offensive attack. Three Raziels flew over the other arm-slaves
straight to the group of Mithril AS. Waves of light exploded
throughout the tunnel. Mao jumped forward into the group of enemies.
They all turned to attack and were blown apart knocking over and
slamming into other enemies. Kurz held up his sniper mentally putting
a target on every enemy insight. Using his gun as a base he unleashed
streams of light each one homing into an enemy. Lillian's AS ran
forward ramming into enemies with hers. Every one of Clouzot, punches
and kick released an aura at the end destroying which ever ones it
contacted. Lillian jumped back her attack stopped by a unison of
enemies using their own. She rolled to the side as one of the Raziels
came down on her. She kicked it sending it into the wall but it
quickly recovered and attacked again. Their small burst of victory
was being thwarted by a larger group of Raziels approaching. The
space the Mithril soldiers had was slowly depleting and the M9s were
useless in this type of fight. Clouzot turned and punched into the
wall blowing the steel in allowing space to escape. "C'mon."
They all walked backwards towards the tunnel. The M9s were the
first in. The rest of the Urzu team moved back slowly holding any
enemies trying to make a move back. When they were all in Clouzot's
ARX released one large wave of light and dropped an arm-slave made
flash grenade and followed the rest into the tunnel.
"We'll
need to come up with a better strategy to defeat them. Doing it all
at once isn't working." Mao said as they ran down the newly
opened tunnel. They could hear the sound of the enemy arm-slaves feet
as they ran after them. "This isn't good we're the ones who're
supposed to be kicking their asses." Kurz said. "But there's so
many. We're already out of ammo and took out so many and they keep
getting more." Lillian added.
"Take a left
here!" Tessa' voice suddenly sounded over the radio. The AS
didn't hesitate as they followed the command. "Captain?"
Clouzot called back as they continued.
"Yes were finally ready
to help. Take a right here." She paused as they followed her order.
"I'm proud of how well you all did. We've been surveying the
situation. They definitely have a lot of arm-slaves. They seem to be
trying to stop us from getting somewhere. Doors have appeared at four
points on the island. We think they may be hangar doors. We need you
to get there and investigate what is behind those doors. Our
helicopters aren't equipped to break through those. Oh turn here.
We'll be sending all of you a map of the area. We have the
schematics now. When you get it head to point 1211." Tessa nodded
to one of her bridge members. Mardukas nodded as well confirming the
command. The woman began transmitting the information to the Mithril
soldiers. In about ten seconds they received the maps.
"Holy shit
this place is huge!" Kurz exclaimed as he looked at the map.
"Geez
this all fits into this island?" Mao said clicking the screen to
get a deeper look.
'Damn. We were supposed to go through this
thing without a map. It's like a maze." Lillian said examining it
as well.
"Complain later at least we have a map now. Do as
ordered and head to point 1211. Alpha 1, 3, and 6 take the red
highlighted path to escape to ground level." Clouzot ordered. At an
upcoming turn the M9s went right. The Urzu members waited for the
enemy to see them before heading left so that they would follow them.
They took advantage of the narrow space and destroyed a few enemies
with the lambda driver before running.
"You should be able to
fight somewhat better there. When you are ready move to point 1005 on
the map." Tessa spoke to them as they ran through the tunnels.
"Rescue Unit D, fall back and head to point 0985."
The
leader for the unit pulled down his visor showing the map and the
location they were supposed to go. He gave a signal and everyone
began to follow. The assault unit waited before following they held
the enemy back before using a grenade to stall them and followed the
rescue unit and recovered prisoners. "This is bad. We're hauling
too many prisoners at once." One of the soldiers said as he looked
back at the group following them.
--
Sousuke ran
down the hall a small group of Arastols following after him. He was
in an even worse condition after fighting with Col. He was tired and
in a weakened state after his fight with him. Whatever he did the
sheer force did damage to Sousuke. He could still fell the vibrations
through his body. He couldn't even concentrate to do anything. He
tried to disregard it as he ran from his pursuers. He was close to
wear he wanted to be but the vibrations around the island were
starting to increase and he was getting worried as to what could be
causing it. He looked back checking his enemies' progress. They
were close enough to chase him but any shots they made would most
likely be wasted. He'd fought with Col about half an hour ago now
he had spent the last ten minutes or so running from these machines.
He would need a better vantage to be able to take out the group so
turning and attacking at this point was out of the question. At least
like this. He turned the corner making the machine lose sight of him.
Just as they turned the corner a rocket hit the first one tearing it
apart. The others looked forward trying to decipher what happened and
spotted Sousuke running with a rocket launcher slung on his shoulder.
He ran as fast as he could as the Arastols took off after him. He
turned another corner. The Arastol was ducked this time dodging the
flying object. Suddenly it exploded right above it. Sousuke continued
running his plan using a bomb planted on the rocket launcher he threw
worked only partially. Another Arastol was downed but only for a
moment the effect wasn't strong enough. The other one was getting
closer the injured one was still a good distance behind. Sousuke was
also running a bit slower due to his knee. Maybe he should have
rested a bit more when he had the chance. He continued running the
one Arastol uninjured starting to close in. He would have ended it
earlier despite consequences but his fight with Col had truly
rendered that idea useless. He was struggling just to keep going. He
started running the corridors in circles the one Arastol stupidly
following him.
'They still need to work on its AI.' He
thought as he ran. He heard a peculiar noise in from around the
corner in front of him. When he turned he saw the weakened Arastol
just trying to catch up. "Its AI must be affected if it hasn't
noticed me."
Suddenly he had an idea. He doubted it worked but
he'd seen in done in so many of the movies he had been forced to
watch with Chidori he decided it may be his best shot. He caught the
attention of the retarded Arastol. It turned aiming its gun. Soon the
next one came around the corner. It aimed its gun. The weakened
Arastol needed a little longer to aim making this work. He crossed
his fingers mentally while he ducked as the Arastols fired on each
other. Soon the noise ended looked towards the weakened Arastol. It
was completely destroyed. When he turned to inspect the other it was
aiming at him from around the corner. He rolled as bullets burst from
its arm. He mentally scolded himself for even trying the idea as he
continued running from the machine. He was glad he was at least down
to one. This time when he tried running around the Arastol took a
hall to cut him off. He rolled past it running at full speed just
barely escaping as its bullets shot out damaging the walls, almost
him. He guessed they really did get smarter they just needed a near
death experience. IF it used the same plan it would meet him at the
other end again. He pulled out his knife as he ran. He prepared
himself as he came around the corner. As he expected the second he
hit the spot where the shortcut would be the Arastol-v.2 jumped out.
Expecting to attack it raised its arm. Sousuke lunged at it leaping
up and plunging his knife into the soft neck. Oil poured over his
hands as well as a small shock from wiring inside the machine. The
Arastol grabbed him by his shirt and threw him against the wall. He
recovered just as he was about to hit the floor. He couldn't dodge
as the machine prepared to fire. Amongst the beginning fire of the
Arastol two weaker shots rang out. The Arastol's aim veered off
completely missing its target. Sousuke held his bleeding arm. He had
shot the hilt of the knife plunging it deeper and cutting the nerves
and wiring that let the Arastol send messages throughout its body. He
sat back taking a deep breath. He was getting hurt badly and his
mission still seemed far form over. He looked at where he was
hit.
'Only a flesh wound.' He thought; disregarding it
since it would cause no trouble. He walked over to the downed Arastol
and reached into the neck. His hand now covered in oil he pulled the
knife from its neck. He cleaned it with a rag before continuing. He
headed farther until he found a single set of stairs going down. He
tossed a coin listening as it fell deeper and deeper into the
darkness. This was going to be a long walk.
"Not long now…"
--
"Yes
understood." Tessa looked down sorrowfully at the floor. She began
to fiddle with her ponytail just like other times of stress or
embarrassment. She looked at Mardukas. His expression though only
slightly changed showed the same discomfort.
"We need to
contact Sagara. Kaname Chidori has not been secured and is once again
in the enemy's control."
--