Claire hadn't been on an airship in almost 3 years; a long trip from Earth to Neptune to visit her parents. Now, this was her first time on a private one. There were only about 15 seats, from what she could see, in the wide cabin. This, however, didn't matter since they were the only passengers. He sat across from her with his eyes closed, leaning on his fist. All she could hear was the hum of the airship and couldn't tell if he was breathing let alone asleep. They had been en route for about three hours now and Ray hadn't moved an inch or said a word in two of them. Now she was beginning to wonder how much longer it would be until they arrived. Boredom weighed heavy upon her.
She turned and looked out the window into space. Deimos, the closer of Mars' moons, seemed like it was only a few city blocks away. Claire suddenly found herself in a trance from the sheer size of the cosmic rock passing her view. The sound of Ray's voice freed her from its grip. Claire almost jumped out of her skin when he suddenly spoke.
"Are you hungry?"
She turned back to face him. He still hadn't moved. Claire wondered if she was hearing things until his eyes popped open and he slowly sat up.
"Have you been awake this whole time?" She asked incredulously. Her face was starting to flush; embarrassed from being startled.
"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, you haven't moved at all in hours. I thought you had fallen asleep like that. Or died." She said followed by sticking her tongue out at him.
Ray stared at her for a long moment before responding. Her response confused him, so he ignored it.
"So do you want food or not?"
"Right! I am. But what do you propose? Are you going to cook for me? I haven't seen another soul since we boarded." Claire quickly glanced around to make sure.
"That's how private airships work. Your not bothered unless you want to be. There's a terminal over there. Order what you want and it'll be brought to you." He said pointing to his left.
Claire turned to the screen and suddenly she felt stupid. The options were scrolling past plain as day. She was so focused on Ray, she didn't even notice. With an embarrassed laugh she got up and walked over.
"Do you want anything?" She said through a sigh.
"A cup of coffee. Black. Thank you." He sat up and felt around the pockets of his coat.
After Claire ordered her food she returned to her seat across from him. Ray sat up and pulled out a cigarette and put it to his lips.
"Do you mind?"
"No. Actually, can I have one?"
After they both took a few drags their coffee arrived. Claire stared across at Ray. He looked like he was staring off into the horizon; at some far away place. Or perhaps, into the past.
"You had just got to Earth when I met you right? Did you fly there like this?" She asked shattering the silence.
"This is the only way I fly. Unless travelling with the public suits my needs. It usually doesn't."
"In an empty ship? Every time? Doesn't it get lonely?"
Ray scoffed. "I've been alone a long time Claire...This is really no different. Occasional solitude isn't a bad thing."
"But prolonged solitude can be maddening." She said with a smirk.
Ray rolled his eyes as she showed him her tongue again.
"A long time...Do you mind if I ask you about something...personal?"
Ray fixed his gaze on her. His eyes made her nervous.
"Sure. Ask away."
Claire looked away. She couldn't get the words out otherwise.
"Maria...Is she an assassin too?" She finally formed the words.
Ray stared at her as memories rushed back to him at once. He couldn't think of what she would possibly be trying to find out.
"No. She wasn't cursed with this life. Though, I did meet her while I was on a mission. I was about 17 at the time." He said starting to reflect.
"Wow. That's nearly ten years. So you two have been together this whole time?"
"More or less. Our history is...complicated to say the least..." His voice trailed off. She had clearly made the wheels start turning in his head.
Claire watched his face closely, trying to decipher his expressions. Finally she said,
"However complicated, it brought you two together. That's all that matters right?"
Ray stared at her blankly for a moment then shrugged as he went to relight his cigarette.
"So where do you think she is?"
"I have no doubt that she's with Julius. If not, he knows where she is."
"Julius. The guy you saw on T.V.? So you think she's on Mars?"
"We're going to find out very soon..."
Ray turned and peered out the window as he dropped his cigarette in his empty coffee cup.
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Bruno stepped out of the Body Weaver machine and pulled his long dreadlocks back into a ponytail so he could ring them out; he was soaked. A woman with the same milk chocolate colored skin as he entered to room, wearing nothing but a thong. She was carrying his clothes, jewelry, and a vial of Gaia. The drug shown bright in the dim room giving off color of sky blue and crimson. He took the vial first and drank it all in one go. Then he tied his hair back and put on his underclothes and pants before dismissing the woman. While he put on his jewelry (several gold bracelets and rings, a gold watch, and five gold chains adored with different charms) he checked his PPC. A message from Sloane, and another that worried him. He checked that one first, then immediately made a phone call. A name appeared on the screen behind him, Phoenix, and he waited. Within a moment a copper-skinned man was before him. His eyes were a sandy brown, his hair jet-black with shoulder length dreadlocks; half of them gold.
"Boss. Lovely to hear from you." He greeted his leader with a smile.
"Would you mind explaining that last message to me Phoenix?" Bruno said in a stern tone.
He laughed. He was obviously nervous.
"Yeah. It seems Julius was onto us the whole time."
"And what makes you so sure about that?"
"When we got there, everything, and I mean everything was gone. Like the lab never existed. There's just a gaping hole in the side of the mountain now. I'm still baffled as to how he managed to pull this off with us almost literally sitting on top of the place the whole time. But I suppose it doesn't matter. We didn't get what you sent us there for."
Bruno turned away from the screen and looked up at the ceiling. He took a slow, deep breath and held it. When he exhaled, a powder blue smoke came from his nose and mouth. When he turned back to Phoenix his eyes now glowed bright blue, his iris' bright red.
"And what was the other thing you didn't want to send over a message?"
"It seems Lumiere is looking for you."
Bruno was again silent for a moment.
"What are you talking about?"
"As we were leaving the site, we were approached by someone who claimed to be the #4. Akira Hikari."
Bruno's eyes widened.
"What did he say? Did you fight him?"
"No we didn't fight him. You gave us strict orders not to engage high ranking members of the Guild. And it didn't really seem like he was there to fight. Although, I could sense nothing but bloodlust coming from the man."
"Then? What happened?!"
"He said that they had gotten some intel that you were going to be on Saturn. He was looking to deliver a message in person. After, I identified myself he decided to just tell me. The King of the Stars wants to meet with you."
Bruno went silent for a moment; digesting the information.
"The King? Why?"
"He said he wanted to talk about "the way the winds were blowing." He said you would know what that means. Do you?"
Bruno turned his back to the screen and grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head.
"I want you to tell everyone to lay low until I talk to him. Execute no Contracts. Keep moving all the products. Other than that stay out of sight until I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?"
"Roger that."
The screen went blank. Bruno let out a heavy sigh as he gathered the rest of his things. He was drawing too much attention to himself. It was beginning to interfere with his plans. And with the King now seeking his presence, he wouldn't be able to do much without being attacked. Bruno took one last look around his room through his sunglasses before departing. Better now than later. There was much to do. Interference from such a powerful force was something he didn't need.
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Helio City was just waking up when Gabriel walked out onto the roof of Jayzmyne's building. Every morning he spent there he came up on the roof in the morning. It was quiet and peaceful for him, and reminded him of a better time in his life. He walked around the machine that maintained the building to his spot to find this morning he had company.
Sloane sat on the buildings edge with her back to him. She wasn't wearing her coat, instead a tight black tank-top. He could see all of her tattoos climbing up from her fingertips on her left hand and stopping just before her ear. He walked over and sat down next to her without a word. She was wearing the same sunglasses as before. They still looked familiar.
Neither of them said a word for awhile. It was easy for them to do that. These two former members of 5 Diamonds have always gotten along.
"You know...I don't know why...But I feel like I should apologize for Julius' behavior last night." Gabriel said finally.
Sloane scoffed.
"He knew exactly what he was doing. Don't apologize for him."
"Still, I kinda expected that, and I should have warned you. He's pretty pissed you didn't tell him before you attack Ray."
"I wasn't exactly thinking about him when I got the message."
"Well, what were you thinking?"
She went silent for a moment, contemplating her answer.
"Honestly, I wasn't at all. My mind went completely blank. I wasn't that far away. I just wanted to see him...We didn't really know was alive. It's one thing to assume...Believe...And when I did, to see him with another girl...I just lost it."
"How was he? Did he seem...apprehensive? Did you talk at all?"
Sloane was quiet again, reflecting on the events. They were all still so clear in her head. She saw the pained look etched across Ray's face every time she closed her eyes.
"He tried to talk to me...I guess I was the apprehensive one. That's all he was trying to do...I couldn't even get him to draw his sword until I stopped shooting at the girl, Claire I think her name is. And even when he did, he wasn't trying to fight me Gabriel. That's part of the reason I left. He played purely defense. I couldn't deal with it."
Gabriel pulled out two cigarettes, lighting them both and handing one to Sloane.
"Well...That certainly doesn't surprise me. I doubt the rest of us will receive the same treatment though." Gabriel finished his sentence with a half-hearted chuckle.
"I just don't understand what he thinks is going to change from talking. What could he possibly say?"
"While I see where you coming from, I can also imagine a lot of things he might want to say. You never know."
"What does it matter if he's still going to chase that bitch Maria across the galaxy?"
Gabriel opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately stayed silent.
"Nothing he can say will make me feel better. Nothing will bring him back to me..."
Her voice started to break as she placed one hand over her stomach. Gabriel turned to her. She had removed her glasses. Her bright yellow eyes shone like diamonds with the tears streaming down her face. He hadn't realized it until then, but she was crying the whole time.
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Ray stood in front of the window looking out at city. He decided to check into a normal hotel instead of staying at one of Helio Cities Sanctuaries. It would be much easier for him to lay low like that; despite the Sanctuaries purpose. Ray doubted anyone would be able to keep their mouth shut about seeing him too long. They had only been in the city for a few hours and it was now the early afternoon. Claire sat on the bed staring at the emblem on the back of his coat. Something dark was on the horizon. Claire could feel it in her bones.
"I'm about to leave."
"Leave? You haven't slept. Why don't you rest some?" Ray's statement brought her out of her trance.
"No...I'm not tired. Besides it's daylight. If I'm going to find them, any of them, this would be the best time to do it. Julius is here. I can feel it. He can't hide in the light."
"Well I'm coming with you." She got up and got her jacket.
Ray turned around and watched her gather up her things. His gray eyes pierced through her like they always did. And she felt her usual mix of fear and arousal. It was still strange for her.
"Why?"
"Because I don't think you should go by yourself. I know I'll probably slow you down, but I promise if things get dangerous, I'll leave."
"Claire, I might not be able to protect you." He pleaded. "My prey are wild beast."
"I will be fine Ray. I believe in you."
She smiled and Ray felt something he hadn't felt in a long time, hope. He couldn't help but flash a grin back at her.
"Fine. Come on let's go."
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Julius leaned against the wall of the Sanctuary gazing out into the busy streets. His sword was on his hip; he hadn't been wearing it since he got to the city. But today he had a bad feeling. It was a beautiful day, people were out, and he felt like sky could fall any second. The bad feeling he had about coming to Mars in the first place was stronger than ever, and Julius always trusted his instincts.
When Robyn walked out of the building she found Julius staring up at the sky. She looked up and saw nothing but clouds and airships.
"Um...What are you looking at?" She asked confused.
"Nothing in particular...Was anything out of the ordinary in there?"
Robyn thought for a moment. "How so?"
"Anything at all. Things, people you don't normally see or hear."
Robyn thought for a moment, he watched intently.
"No. There were a lot of opponents at the training grounds today. I beat a lot of people. But it's the weekend. There's always more people and I always win my fights.
"Did you see anyone that stood out?" He said looking through the doorway of the Sanctuary.
"I don't think so. I went undefeated. I always do. And it wasn't difficult." Robyn flipped her hair; obviously proud of herself.
Julius sighed and looked around. Then he started walked into the fray of people.
"Come on. I'm supposed to meet with the others. You should tag along."
Robyn beamed and happily followed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jayzmyne, Sloane, and Gabriel went to lunch together. Jayzmyne was the last to wake, and was nothing but hungry when she did. However, she didn't get up until almost noon. Now they walked to the rendezvous point to meet with Julius. Jayz and Gabriel walked in front while Sloane trailed slightly behind them. Her focus kept moving from the 5 Diamonds emblem on their respective coats, and their interlocked fingers. She regretted not taking any Gaia before she left.
Julius was sitting on the edge of the Fountain of Apollo with Robyn when they arrived. It was one of the staples of the city and was always filled with people. The 75-foot fountain of the ancient Greek god Apollo had become an attraction since it's erection. It was hard for them to go anywhere without being noticed, so meeting in places like this at least made it look somewhat normal.
Robyn jumped up and greeted everyone with hugs. Jayzmyne was confused.
"When did you two meet up?" Jayzmyne incquired.
Gabriel and Julius exchanged glances.
"I was in the city meeting with a contact, business, and ran into her. We went and got something to eat after. Showed her one of the many excellent places to dine here on Mars. I'm surprised you haven't done it yourself Jayz. You do live here." Julius said with a smile.
Jayzmyne turned to Robyn. She was blushing. Sloane rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, I don't see why she can't be present. I think we got all the...messy stuff out of the way at our last meeting." Julius said looking around the area.
"Because it has nothing to do with her Julius! How many fucking times do I have to tell you that?! These aren't her sins!"
"But if he happens to kill you, it will be."
Jayzmyne reached for her hip and Gabriel grabbed her arm.
"Julius that was too far. Isn't that what we're here to talk about? You spoke last time like you had a plan in mind. What are you thinking?" Gabriel demanded.
The silver-haired demon flashed his smug grin.
"What if I told you I already somebody on it?"
Sloane's focus drifted to her right. Across the pool she could see a face she would recognize anywhere. The blonde-haired woman had a look of terrible worry etched across her face. As the gravity of the situation descended upon her she subconsciously started preparing herself for battle. Gabriel took notice.
"What is it Sloane?"
"Look's like the problem found us."
Julius stopped mid-sentence and stood up.
"What are you saying?"
"Claire, Ray's new woman is over there. So you know what that means"
That's all she had time to say. Sloane looked up to see Ray falling from the sky, sword in hand, with flames of vengeance burning in his eyes.