I am back after some time with a new chapter to this story. I hope that you will enjoy it, as it took me a pretty good while to finally get to end of it. I'll talk more afterwards.

Bojack727

.o.o.o.

THE HYBRID'S SONG
Chapter Twelve: The Stand

Off the coast of Japan in the South Pacific Ocean, an oil-drilling platform stood in the darkness of night, lights blinking steadily around the equipment. The hook on the crane moved slightly in the breeze.

Inside his office, Macintyre stood before the technicians monitoring the platforms readings and computer screens and taking notes. "Status?" he asked.

"Main reactor is it optimum output sir, all readings nominal." One replied.

"Security reports no unusual movement or activity, and the camera and sensors are all functioning properly." Added another.

Macintyre looked out of the window into the exterior of the platform, noting the armed guards and smiled. "Good, we don't want anything to go wrong now." He then turned back to face the men. "What is the status of the subjects?" He asked.

"All subjects are stable sir." Another technician answered him

"Good, we don't want any of our little friends waking up, especially 'Mannequins'."

.o.o.o.

"What are you doing?" Kino asked Dianna.

"I'm going to get the antidote." She replied.

The short girl's eyes widened. "What, you can't just barge in there like that- they'll be prepared for something like that!"

Dianna ran a clawed hand through bright red hair. "I know I could get killed, but it's the only way." She replied. "I'm through standing around and talking about what needs to be done- I'm going to do something about it."

Hayami nodded. "I'm coming with you."

The hybrid looked over at him in surprise. "You should know better then to say something like that." Dianna answered. "You have friends and a 'family' to come back to, so you don't need to be risking your life."

Hayami smiled strangely. "You're wrong, you have also have something to come back to as well, and I have do something to help." He began. "I'm fucking sick of sitting around- that's what you do when you give up- when there's nothing left to fight for!" He exclaimed.

Dianna crossed her arms and regarded him.

"But I do have something to fight for- I want to live in a world where people don't have to fear for their lives- Katsumo believed in that world too!" He clenched his fist. "I've lost friends, and I tried not to care, but too many people have died so that we could all live to see another day- the war, the negotiations, everything! I fought for nothing my whole life until a few years ago, and now I'm going to change that!"

Kino's eyes watered slightly.

"The wheels of industry and money won't trample human life any more then an army can if we don't let them- I want Macintyre to pay for what he's done, as well as for what he's going to do if we don't do something now." Hayami paused.

Dianna smiled and walked up to him, she grabbed a hold of him by the chin and looked him straight in the eyes and then let go of him. "I understand, let's get that bastard."

"Wait, I'm coming too!" Kino inserted.

"No you're not." Dianna corrected. "I don't need you risking your life as well; it would give me too much to worry about."

"She's right, Kino." Hayami began. "And besides, there's something else I need you to do. Irregardless of whether or not we succeed, you and Kisaki have to get this information to press so that Macintyre's operation is exposed at some level."

The girl sighed. "Alright, I understand." She replied bitterly.

Warlock walked into the room. "Well, now that you two have made up your minds, perhaps there is something that I could offer you that could help." He announced and removed a small device from his pocked and pressed a button on it.

A panel opened up in one of the walls, revealing a compartment filled with weapons and equipment.

Kisaki almost chocked and Hayami smiled.

"Nice collection, Doctor."

"Always be prepared." Warlock replied. "I think you can find something here that may be if some use to you."

.o.o.o.

Kino stood out on the balcony, looking out onto the water. She heard the door slide open, but didn't look away.

"Kino?" Dianna asked, now wearing simply black pair of spandex shorts and a matching cut-off tank top. She had put the outfit on to be more mobile.

"Dianna." Kino replied simply.

"I know you're worried, but you have to have faith." Dianna remarked.

"It's not that, it's the fact that I hate these people so much- I've had some enemy to hate in my life, for some reason. I don't like having to have these feelings."

Dianna nodded. "Yes, this world is an unfortunate place at times- there is a lot of tragedy around." She remarked. "And we all have our own demons."

Kino looked up at her. "Dianna, surely there are things in life that you can't bare or accept?"

Dianna placed a hand on her shoulder. "I hate burnt toast; I loath empty bus stations at night- full of lost luggage and lost dreams." She paused. "And I can't stand tyranny and oppression and unrequited love." She told Kino.

"We all have a universe of our own fears and demons that we must face one day." She finished. "But there are things in life to enjoy as well."

"I hope you're right." Kino replied uneasily.

"Trust me." She replied and then looked down at Kino silently. She then leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips- surprising the younger woman. Kino flinched at the shockingly soft pressure against her mouth as the taller woman kissed her. It was so gentle and conforting!

"W-why'd you do that!" Kino blurted out, red-faced as she finally was released from Dianna.

Dianna crossed her arms and smiled. "You looked like you could use it."

(- End of Chapter 12 -)

.o.o.o.

I hope you all enjoyed this, and I hope that no one gets to worked up over that last scene, it not really meant to imply anything in as much as it's just to show that Dianna is trying to seeming motherly to Kino. She was just showing her some affection to try and ease her discomfort about all the problems.

Later,

-Bojack727