Chapter Eight
Project Eclipse…
As my eyes begin to close and the Barbel raises its scythe arm up for the final strike I hear a small mechanical whine, As if something is charging to fire… Suddenly The Barbel roars in pain and falls to the ground with three others that were to its right. I whirl my head to source of the shot and see a smoking Guilty Light held by an odd orange and green colored RAcast. I smile as Samus stands behind the Guilty Light and fires off another round; the photon shell sizzles as it travels through the air. It passes through four enemies before it dissipates into nothing, leaving a hole in the center of each target that gets smaller as it passes through each body.
I rise to a standing position and soon hear an all too familiar croon to my right and left shoulders, My Mag Rati descends to its normal position above my shoulders. It quickly vibrates up and down and releases a wave of Shifta and Deband into Samus and I. The defense boosting and offensive boosting techs fill my body; Samus turns to me and then looks towards the other three, as they destroy the last of the monsters. Marc slashes through two at once cutting them horizontally into two halves. Alexis stabs her dagger into the mid section of Gul-gus it roars and then falls to the ground dead. Mint slashes the final Tollaw with her Heart of Poumn. It drops to the ground and a red box appears. She picks it up looks at its contents and laughs. "It's nothing more then a PD. Tee hee hee." Samus looks at me again his visor giving a grave expression if I could read it, "Colt why did you run off as such?" The obvious questioned asked I figure, I look away unsure of how to answer him.
Samus stands waiting for my answer; I begin to explain when something brings me away from it, another noise. Foliage cracking and being snapped by foot steps. Samus quickly throws me a red box getting into a gunning position for optimum aim and defense against the oncoming threat. I check the contents of the box and see it is my old Chain Sawd. I quickly grab it in my right hand and get into a defensive position. I am no good at full swings or strikes with it; the weapon was made to be handled with two hands and arms for maximum control and damage of the spinning blades. Either way the small band of blades begins to rotate humming as it picks up speed as I stand waiting. My breath quickens my pulse begins to race my adrenaline level spikes I crouch ready to try and end it quick I am only going to have one chance at landing a killing or disabling blow. Anything less and I am dead… Samus brings his finger on the trigger as the noise becomes louder, wait multiple foot steps are coming towards us at least two people or things are coming… Sweat develops on my brow I tighten my grip on the handle painfully gripping it my knuckles aching for me to ease up on my grip.
Suddenly the foliage breaks before me I spring forward my blade leveled across the left of my chest I begin to swing ready to cleave the attacker in two the small band of blades hum into life the sound echoing through out the foliage. I look as light comes into the darkened area and realize a fatal mistake! I am going to strike down Cranberry! I am in the middle of my swing! The momentum of my blade can't be stopped; I don't have the strength to do so with just my right arm! Unless, I quickly try and rotate my body with the blade and angle it at an upward angle, No it's still not going to clear her! Suddenly I hear Samus fire his Guilty Light. The photon Shell slams into my Chain Sawd sending it forward and up with more then enough momentum to clear her. She ducks and the blade clears her head by mere inches. I jump backwards into the air continuing my rotation of the blade, until I land slamming the front end of the blade down hard in the ground. Sweat envelopes my face now my breathing labored to the point where I may collapse soon. My vision begins to fade and I slump against the blade, the world slows to a crawl I see Cranberry and Samus rise to their feet then I notice Mewone enter the area behind Samus and then some one else, I black out before I see his face…
Colt: "Save the whales!" Mewone: "…..What the hell is he babbling about now?" Sage: "I think he said save the whales…" Eriror: "There are whales on Ragol?" Cranberry: "Not if he doesn't save them!" Samus: "Error in computer data base. No such record of any marine mammal being spotted or captured from Ragol's oceans…" Alexis: "…That RAcast is scary…" Eriror: "Don't Worry Alexis he isn't going to hurt you." Colt: "Somebody please think of the whales!" Mewone: "I think Colt has lost it this time… Either that or he slammed his head too hard against the ground when he blacked out…" Sage: "Now Mewone don't say such ill things for all we know he could really like whales." Mewone: "…Sage… I think Sato is hungry…" Sage: "Ack! Where!" Cranberry: "Tee Hee Mewone that's not nice! You know Sato only attacks Sage when she sees him." Samus: "…Humans…" Mint: "Is any one going to think about Colt other then me?" Cranberry: "…? Sato what are you doing out?… And why do you look so big?" Sato seems to have a cough and then suddenly a full grown Blue Whale appears out of her mouth and then flops off the cliff into the nearby river Mewone: "….What the in the name of God's Green earth! Was that... What…. teh… hell…" Colt: "The Whale is saved!" Sage: "………" Samus: "….Error does not compute… Scanning… Yep does not compute…" Sato: Grins Proudly Everyone: "…………." crickets chirp Mint: "I think he is coming too!"
My eyelids begin to flutter the world is a blur at first nothing but random colors of blues and browns and one giant spot of red… Wait red? My vision suddenly snaps into focus and I see everyone's eyes on mine and I see Sato floating above them all suddenly bear her shining white fangs. The fading sun catches off them and lances directly into my eyes. I move my hand to shield the light… Too bad it's my left arm that moves. My body suddenly surges with pain from the broken limb I go to grab it only to move to fast and my ribs then protest in there own ache. I fall back down and just look up into all the faces… "Hey everyone… Any one get the color of that transport ship that hit me?" Everyone just looks at me quietly.
I sit up again making sure I use my right arm for support this time… I begin to stand Samus moves forward with the distinctive clank where even out here in the forest the sound is still made. He makes sure I can stand on my own then when I assure him I can, he pulls away slowly and then turns and joins the rest of them as I regain my balance. Mewone then comes up to me looks in my eyes and asks… "Hey… You want to tell us about any hidden desire you have particularly for marine mammals?" I look at him thinking what the hell is wrong with him now. When I don't answer he just grins and then puts his hand on my right shoulder. I shake my head in utter confusion over this development. Mint then steps forward and hugs me. She squeezes me tight. Why, I am unsure all I know is that it feels nice and then I am suddenly in great pain. I don't say anything and just let her continue. She let's go and then stands to my left, looking at me occasionally. Weird I think, well at least she stopped before my ribs re-broke. Marc and Alexis just laugh at me a little and say welcome back to reality. I then notice Sage, the FOmar from the other day. The one that was being chased by Sato. I notice his hair is tied back in a pony tail and that he wears spectacles as well, I look upon him as a teacher. He says thank you once again for helping him the other day and then asks the question that I truly do not wish to answer…
"Why did you run off suddenly like that? It seemed as if you had seen a ghost or you were running from your past, as if you wanted there not to be a tomorrow?" "… I am sorry… I can't answer that…!" I take off running away yet again from them… Leaves, blades of grass small twigs, all of them crushed under my feet as I put as much distance between… My friends and me… Only my Mag is able to keep with me. I run not knowing a sense of direction or purpose other then to leave them in the dust "Ha running away as always aren't you hunter…" I ignore him; I have to keep going, I can't stop I wont let them catch up with me.
Crack! instantly my face meets the cold wet mud. I turn back and see my ankle has caught and been broken on an un-earthed tree root. My fists slam into the ground once again as I realize I can't run from my future or past anymore… I turn around and push my body into a sitting position, and begin to cast Resta focused on my ankle. The green glow begins to surround the break, I hear the cracking and groaning as the bones re-arrange themselves and connect back together. Sadly this tech does have its limits. Although it may set and connect the bones it does nothing for their strength or durability. I gingerly put my weight on it… Pain shoots through my leg but I can hobble on it now at least. "Damnit… Why me?" I look up to the sky its almost night and a slow mist begins to fall. "Perfect… Just perfect…"
I hear a croon behind my back and assume its Rati I turn to pet my Mag and calm him. As I turn I notice it's not Rati… But Sato… My hand freezes in place just inches before her head between her eyes… "Oh crap…" Is all I can utter... The Mag looks at me puzzled for a moment then tilts its head back and forth a little as if wondering if it should continue on with its scheme. My hand still frozen in place begins to tremble, sweat streams from my brow as I wait and wonder what's going to happen next. Sato moves closer to my wrist, she sniffs around it for a little bit then bears her white fangs.
My knuckles turn white with fear, Sato then very carefully and quickly yanks, upon my arm gauntlet dislodging it from my wrist she then throws it up in the air and swallows it whole heartily. "Great just great… Ugh… What cant you store in there Sato?" I ask her not expecting an answer but get a grin from her none the less. She then begins to float back to the campsite. I follow unable to really do much with out my gauntlet. We enter the camp site again and everyone is there waiting…
I sit in a corner away from the fire that has been started, Everyone's head turns as I walk outside the calm welcoming glow of the fire. I soon find a tree to sit under by myself away from everyone for a little bit. I need to think. I stare up at the darkened sky and watch the rain fall on my face. I sit quietly lost in my thoughts for the moment. Foot steps bring my face back to a normal position and I see its Cranberry with Sato above her left shoulder that has come. "Hey… Mind if we sit near you guys?" I shake my head no, not up for too much conversation at the moment but company I wouldn't mind.
"So where do you plan to head next in search of clues to find what your sister did?" I stare wide eyed at her. How did she figure out- "Heh you might want to put your eyes back in your head Colt Mewone and Mint told me you were looking for information on her." I laugh a little and then turn my head to the crowd of them by the fire. Mewone and Sage talking and play fighting back and forth, Samus standing off in the back ground under the comfort of a tree away from the rain, Alexis and Marc Sitting side by side just watching the fire enjoying each others company, And Mint sitting down as well just gazing around at everyone with a smile on her face.
"… To tell you the truth I don't really know where to go as of yet… The only place I can think of is the mining areas below Ragol's surface. They present the only feasible option at this point seeing as how it's the only the place the guild hasn't really been able to extract all the old Pioneer 1 files." She turns her head away after hearing this and stares at the fire I do as well, the silence enveloping all of us. "Hey!" I look up and see Sage and Mewone going at it now Blades drawn and engaged in combat.
"Ha this ought to be good. Who are your odds on Cran?" She looks at me smiles and says "Why Sato of course." I laugh again and watch the mock fight go on between the two, both using a variation of the Agito model katana. The blades clash, sparks fly and the ring of the metallic crash sends echoes through the night. Solemn bells of death to any enemy, yet also a joy between friends as they practice. Sato suddenly fly's in my face and bears her white teeth again. "Ack! What do you want now you already ate my gauntlet?" She just continues grinning and then suddenly heaves from her mouth my gauntlet. "WHAT…TEH…hell…?" I look at Cranberry she just stares off at the battle as if this is a regular occurrence to her. I pick up the gauntlet and stare at her again
"You are one strange Mag Sato, you never cease to amaze or scare me." Sato grins from a job well done and then floats off to end the play fight between the two FOmars. Sage: "Gahh! Back Sato Back!" Mewone: "Heh Save a Sage, eat a whale." Sage then continues to back off, Sato approaches him a gleam in her eye I have only seen twice. "Told you Sato would win." Cranberry laughs and then says "Colt we will all help you find what you need to know don't doubt that. We will help no matter what secrets you may be hiding from us, just trust us and tell them to us that's all we ask…" The FOnweral then stands and walks away to see if she can pull Sato away from Sage before she causes any real harm to the scared Force.
I just watch as the helpless struggle between Sage and Sato continues. I laugh as I see Sato miss her mark time and time again, Sage an expert at dodging the Mag seems to have devolved a sixth sense over the years, I presume that Sato has been trying to eat him for. I laugh again quietly to myself and then stand and head out for a walk again needing to clear my mind yet again before I go to sleep. I leave the campsite 20 yards behind me and find a small boulder in a clearing rather odd I think but don't care at the moment for the view it offers to the sky is to alluring to me at the moment.
I lean against the boulder staring at the sky as the light mist continues to fall. "Hmm I see you like to look to the sky as well Hunter. Maybe we are not so different after all haha…" "Can it… We may be in the same body but our souls couldn't be further apart." "Hmm so you say, you will see in due time we are one in the same and it is our destiny to become what we were created to be." I block him out of my mind the only sounds are that of the soft shower of rain against the landscape and the hum of my Mag as it stays afloat in its current position.
"How am I going to get to the mines…? It's too much time to walk there on foot and I doubt I will be very welcomed back on to Pioneer 2 after what happened… Damn. There just has to be a way for me to get in them!" I stare back at the sky; I could always try a telepipe again into the city during the curfew hours on Pioneer 2… But, with so many of us going it would be a huge group to try and hide from the security… That is if they are all going… I still can't think all of them are willing to help me, they don't even know why I am searching for this information, yet they are still willing to help! Gahh! Why?
"Heh isn't it obvious to you yet? You seem to make friends no matter what you do; people are drawn to you… For what reason I am unsure, from what I have seen you are not a social person haha." "Bahh… What do you care all you want is to show me this grand design you say I was "made for." "All will be shown in due time Hunter… All in due time." "Curse you and your riddles…" I turn to the ground now watching as the water slowly collects into little pools on the ground, my Mag shakes itself to clear the water of it, in the process I get drenched even more then I already was. "Thanks Rati." He simply turns and croons to me again. I can't help but smile at him.
I begin my slow walk back to the camp waiting it out as long as possible unsure still of how I am going to reach the mines… I look as I enter the campsite and see mostly everyone is asleep. I see some one has taken first watch and is sitting underneath the tree Samus was standing under earlier. I walk over and see it is Sage. He turns as he hears water splash from the small puddles scattered about the camp sight. "So glad you have returned Colt." He smiles at me his spectacles giving him the appearance of a teacher pleased at seeing his pupil get the answer correct after trying so hard.
"Hi Sage…"
"Come sit for a little bit I can tell you are not tired, and I am up for some friendly conversation after nearly being eaten by my last guest." I laugh quietly as I go to sit beside him. He turns towards the sky as I take a seat beside him, he turns then and asks, "So why did you run away from the medical area two days ago?" I can see his eyes twinkling knowing I will give him the answer whether I truly intended to or not…
"…Where do I start…? Well after you passed out Sato wasn't exactly happy with me for interrupting its meal." "Hmm yes I know the feeling all to well." I smile ever so slightly as I see his expression soften further. He reminds me so much of a tutor.
"Anyways after that Sato attacked and well before long a Green HUcast entered the battle and knocked me to the pavement. He only seems interested in one thing though, killing me or having me come with him to meet his master… He was far more powerful then any one I had ever fought, I would have lost were not for Cranberry saving me when she did by sending Sato into a head on charge at the machine." "Heh it sounds just like her to do something like that." "Well… Sato didn't fare to well and then the HUcast turned on her… I-I…I almost got her killed!" I begin to convulse a little at the thought of the memory again feeling so helpless and unable to do anything at all! "Hey whoa calm down. It's all right." Sage says I soon begin to calm and just look at the ground as I continue.
"After that he started to squeeze the life out of her, I froze; I couldn't move or talk to tell him to stop… That I would go as long as he left her alone… Then Rati slammed into his sides. He dropped Cran and with speeds I never knew I could reach I grabbed her and set her down by Sato… After that it's simply a blur almost like I wasn't even in the act but part of the audience. I saw the green HUcast ready to kill me and then a light surrounded my body and then… Something emerged from the light…" "Wait don't you mean you emerged?" "No… Something… Something that is and isn't me…"
Sage looks at me then looks off to his left and mumbles something… "…Damnit!
I was hoping those were just rumors… looks like they weren't though… Damn the Guild!" "Sage? What do you know…?" He turns back to me a sadden expression darkens his face, he seems so old now, so old and weary… "sigh Where do I start…? It seems that when Pioneer 1 came to Ragol and found the mines and the ruins they discovered the D-Cell… The cell that is contained within all the creatures in the ruins… They thought since it has such regenerative capabilities that it could be harnessed for military use… They had many experiments, and many failed… Some men just flat out flat lined when administered the serum containing the D-Cells… Others… Became something other then human… And from what I have gathered only two subjects lived from project Serenity… One being the believed deceased commander Heath Cliff… And the other… Well we are unsure all we know is the code name for it being… Eclipse…"
My head explodes with pain. Flashes of memory come before me. Test tubes, scientists, that FOmar and the HUcast again. That HUcast! It was the same one that had presented me with my Hunter's License so many years ago. It was the same one that attacked me…