Chapter 10: Passing the Winter Breath
"A week Mischa… a whole week!" Renton exclaimed in his irritation. Mischa only briefly looked up to give him a dull face. He sighed and rolled his eyes, while looking up at the several pictures that now covered the wall. With the kids being back, and him being forced to stay in the infirmary, they spent a lot of their time giving him drawn pictures. Though, they weren't really for show. But it still made him feel better to know that they cared. One thing that surprised him though was Maurice's pictures. He couldn't believe how artistic Maurice was getting. One picture he drew was of Renton himself. It was almost stunning, with its much critiqued shadings. But it still had its few mistakes.
"You know Renton." Mischa suddenly spoke out, while reaching down to take off his bandage. "If you hadn't been so rough in getting your body overworked like that. You wouldn't even be here right now. But as it is so, you have to face the consequences." Renton nodded, although he didn't like it, she was right. He shared a quick look down at his arm. The bumps weren't nearly as bad as they had once been. They had actually shrunken a small sum, and the dark black was now fading into normal skin color.
"I know..." He muttered and leaned his head back again. His thoughts shifted to wondering on what Eureka and the kids might be doing.
"Well, I think we're good, sit up for a second." Renton was a little confused, but complied. When he sat up, Mischa looked over the bandaging carefully. "Does this hurt?" She asked and pressed down on his forearm. Renton shook his head. "Good, then I think you're good to go." She smiled, stood up and then retrieved his jacket for him. He instantly looked up in surprise.
"You're going to let me leave?" He asked in stirring hopes. Mischa nodded and grabbed a clip board off the table.
"Only if you follow my rules this time. Your arm has shown significant improvements. So you can lift things, just nothing to heavy. Also, you must drink plenty of fluids." She stepped aside as to let him leave.
"Thank you Mischa!" He quickly bowed and ran out of the room. Mischa shook her while turning back to work. Renton on the other hand rushed down the hall. He stopped every now and then to glance into one of the rooms. Disappointingly he sighed and turned around to see Irik running down the hall holding a paper. He seemed to be looking over it with great intensity. As if the very meaning of life were written upon its smooth surface.
"Something wrong?" Irik almost jumped when Renton spoke. He looked around quickly until he spotted Renton looking at him curiously.
"Y-yes, just having some problems with this work, but don't worry, I think I almost got it figured out." He let out a nervous laugh. Renton frowned, not really believing him.
"Are you sure?" He asked one last time.
"Yes, but thank you any ways Renton." Irik's mood had suddenly become more settle. "I was also just a little surprised to see you out the infirmary. What are you doing now any ways?"
"Oh, well, I'm actually looking for Eureka or the kids. They don't know I'm out yet either."
"I believe I saw them in the lounge earlier. Eureka must have been making them lunch or something of that sort." Renton perked up when he said that.
"Really, thanks a lot." And with that he walked passed Irik, who let out a sigh and shook his head. Renton quickly made his way down the hall, until he stopped in front of the lounge and stepped in. He suspected to walk into a room filled with three kids that would be chattering loudly. But as he did so, the place was empty, except for a strange thumping sound. Curiously he walked in further to see the cooking area. Eureka was standing on the other side of the bar, smiling softly as she was cutting something. Renton couldn't help but watch her for a while. A look of peace and joy was covering her face. Slowly she looked up to see Renton standing on the other side. Her face morphed from relaxed to an excited surprise. She ran around the counter and wrapped her arms around him.
"Renton, when did Mischa let you out?" She asked as Renton embraced her in his own arms.
"Just a little while ago." The two pulled away from each other softly. Their gaze held for a while longer until Renton looked over at the counter. "What are you doing?" He asked her curiously. Eureka looked over at the counter herself.
"I was cooking the lunch for you and me." She responded and shifted her gaze back to him. "The kids already ate."
"Where are they now?"
"Stoner came in wanting to show Maurice something, and Maeter and Linck went to go see Talho's baby." Renton nodded, slightly disappointed that he couldn't surprise them too. But he thought that at least doing it to Eureka was enough. The surprised look that crossed her face was something he'll never forget.
"So, should we finish the food?" He asked, smiling at her. She nodded and shared with him her own warm smile. The two went to the table and continued finished up the food. It wasn't long until they had finished and were sitting at the couch.
"Eureka." Renton spoke out suddenly. She looked over, wondering what was on his mind. "I hear that you haven't seen the Xellien since the battle." He shifted his gaze at her with concern.
"I know…" Eureka looked away, uncomfortable about the subject.
"Was it because of the battle?" Eureka didn't respond, she only found it easy to look away. A sigh drifted from Renton lips. "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." He smiled down at her with confidence. She slowly looked back up at him, his smile feeding her strength.
"Renton, I'm just scared to go near it." Softly she began.
"What do you mean?"
"When the battle happened, I felt something alien to me. It was like an anger I had never experienced before. I felt scared, I wasn't me any more. But then you reached out and took my hand. At that moment the feelings seemed to run from me." Little puddles started to form in her eyes. "I don't want to go near it with out you." She finished and looked away. Renton was looking at her in surprise.
"Maybe it was just because of the kids?" He suggested the idea hopefully.
"That might have been apart of it…" She didn't seem to mean what she said.
"Eureka, at that moment things were going out of proportion. You had just saved the kids, and we were heading back to the Gekko-Go. The whole situation just wasn't normal." He saw a tear slowly glide down her face. Reaching out he embraced her in his arms. She accepted them willingly and hugged him back.
"I'm sorry Renton." Her muffled voice came into his shoulder. He could feel her crying in his arms. But even though the tears fell, he knew that as long as they were together, they would be ok. They both stayed like that for a long time. Finally they broke away and finished their meal.
After putting away the dished, they decided to go search for the kids. While they walked down the hall, Renton quickly glanced at Eureka. A wave of relief flushed over him when he saw that she was smiling again. They continued down until Eureka suddenly stopped, looking around in confusion.
"Whats wrong?" Renton asked in his own confusion.
"Don't you hear that?" Renton stopped, and was surprised when he could have sworn he heard some one yelling. "Let's go." Eureka suddenly took off towards the sound. He quickly followed behind, but wasn't all too sure that this was a good idea. The closer to the sound they got, the louder it became. Finally they were led to Renton's old room. They both recognized the one yelling as Holland.
"What do you mean you don't know how they got a hold of it?" Holland's muffled voice came through.
"Just like I said, I don't know!" Renton was surprised to hear Irik yelling this time. "They must have found documents on the old experiments. Some one must have caught onto the idea as well." A loud bang rang through the door. Renton assumed it was Holland kicking it, or so he hoped.
"We took you in so we could find you a safer place to live. That weapon is too powerful to be in the U.F.F.'s hands."
"Look Holland, we're safe for now. It looked to be that they have no idea how to control the device. At least not with out this formula." The sound of shuffling paper emitted through the walls.
"What is it?"
"It is the correct way to send the signal over the trapar. With out this, there isn't much they can do but shove down some rough emotions." Irik did his best in defending himself for reasons Renton couldn't understand.
"What about Konner then, it seems to be causing enough problems with out it!" Holland voice began to rise again.
"It's because of the battle… I assume that in the situation, they could easily feed the emotions in." Renton looked up in a mix of confusion and surprise. He suddenly rushed forward and opened the door. Both Irik and Holland turned around.
"What happened to Konner?" Renton asked with utter importance. Holland clenched his teeth and looked back at Irik.
"Why don't you explain it to them Irik? I'm sick and tired of holding your secret." Holland left the room with out another word, leaving Irik in his uncomfortable setting.
"Well?" Renton asked after a prolonged moment. Irik looked around, avoiding any eye contact with either of them.
"The truth was going to be found out at one point… I'm a scientist that previously worked for the U.F., as my father did. He was Xellien, a scientist in helping develop the Amita Drive. Well, after the first summer of love, he discovered something in his works. The compac drive has the ability to pick up emotions from the mind, and then can also help the connection from the rider to the trapar, as you know, its main purpose. But, he discovered that you could do the opposite. You can also feed emotions into the user." He paused for a second, to let it all sink in. Both Eureka and Renton couldn't force away the look of surprise and confusion on their faces. "The U.F. liked the idea, if you could only imagine the power they would have with the device. So they accepted his idea and gave him the resources to work on it. The compac drive had to be redesigned, picking up the new name of the Inverse Drive. When he later continued, it quickly came to his realization of the weapon he was creating. So he ran away… from everything… The U.F., life, and his family. All the documents on the project were destroyed. The U.F. were furious, they wanted that device. So they tracked him down. Eventually they did find him, except he was lying on the ground dead. He had shot himself, trying to protect the information he had." Irik was looking down at the ground in fierce anger. "The U.F. decided to seek at the family. To see if he might have left something behind there. It just so happens that my father did. But none of the scientists could decipher his logic. So they dumped the project, and the weapon was forgotten. At least until I came along. When I got older, I inherited much of my father's talents and abilities. I had a "unique" way of thinking. Once they realized this, they hired me as a scientist on the crew. I refused to do it, but they threatened the death of my mother and sister. So I had no choice but to comply with their demands. I worked on the project, and everything was going well. I had mastered the device, and it should have worked. But there was something wrong, and I could never figure out why. Even with my fathers documents… A year went by with no progress. And just like before, they thought the project was impossible. So they dumped me, and killed off my family any way." Irik actually looked up at Renton. Tears were forming in his eyes. "They killed them with out hesitation, and decided they would let me live. How could they do something so cruel?" He took a sudden step forward, as if begging for the answer. But neither Renton nor Eureka could find the words to speak. After a long moment of uncomfortable silence, Irik started up again, this time with a calm and formal voice. "Eventually everything happened. You guys caused the second summer of love, a little while later, the P.O.F. was formed. Eventually I decided to join the P.O.F. Along with Konner, Klera, and Jake. We all went together. Not long after that, I discovered the glitch in the Inverse Drive. I did tests, documented it, and took it to Commander Jurgens. He instantly saw the dangerous potential of the device, and instantly shut down any production. Information had some how leaked out about it. The U.F. found out, and they chased after me. And that's why I'm here with you, aboard the Gekko-Go. I'm running from the U.F., to keep this formula away from them. If they got a hold of it…" He finished and looked at the two. The tears had disappeared, only leaving behind a face with out emotion. Renton and Eureka couldn't believe all the words Irik had just spoken. He wasn't the boy they had both thought. To be the same age as them, and have such hard trials. For a split second, Renton could almost experience what he was talking about. How he never had a true family. Yet, he never knew his father, and for a long time hated his father. But eventually Eureka helped him realize how great of a father he really was. Sacrificing himself to protect him… and his family.
"What about Konner?" Eureka broke the silence with her voice. An intense expression of guilt shifted on Irik's face.
"The inverse drive must have some how gotten in the prototype. I don't know why, but a week ago, just after the battle. When you guys had returned, he decided to wait outside the Gekko-Go. When both Dominic and Konner were heading back for the Izumo, Konner just randomly broke off with out response. Right now, a small group is trying to find him. The best solution that came to mind on why he left was… because of the Inverse Drive." Irik closed his eyes, trying to suppress foreign emotions. Renton was thinking for a hard moment, trying to understand everything that happened. He was angry at Irik, but then he also pitied him. Suddenly he felt Eureka take his hand. Turning around, he saw Eureka sharing a look of confidence. She understood him all to well. A smile slipped across his face, and he nodded. Turning back around, he faced Irik with complete seriousness.
"Irik… Sometimes we have to forget the pass, and learn from our mistakes. And sometimes people won't forgive us for our mistakes." Renton took a step forward and placed a hand on Irik's shoulder. Irik instantly looked at the hand and then Renton in complete surprise… "We don't blame you Irik, the best you can do is shoulder your sin, and learn from it. And right now, help us in finding Konner." Irik seemed confused, and he looked between Renton and Eureka. Finally he stopped on Renton, sharing eye contact for a few moments. Then a smile slowly formed on his face.
"Thank you Renton…I think I understand now." Renton smiled back, seeing a new strength build inside Irik. At that moment, the door slid open behind them. Eureka and Renton turned around to see Hilda standing at the door.
"Good, Holland said you would be here. Look, Woz was able to tap into the U.F.'s news network. For the past week they've been reporting random attacks from an unknown type KLF." A look of surprised covered their face.
"Konner?" Irik asked while taking a step pass Eureka and Renton. Hilda responded with a quick shrug.
"We're not sure, but that's the best we can hope for. The description of the KLF is very similar to the prototype KLF. Apparently the same KLF is attacking a U.F. command base to the north. But that's not all, apparently the U.F. are sending a large force of KLFs to take it down. Holland made contact with the Izumo when we discovered this. Right now Command Jurgens is rallying three other ships towards the location. Including the Izumo and Gekko-go, that's a total of five ships. This isn't going to be a simple battle, the battle station that we're heading to is A7-89, one of their largest stations on the western shore." Hilda took a deep breath, trying to get everything out as quickly as she could. "Holland wants Renton and Eureka to get in the Xellien. He's hoping you two can capture the prototype along with Konner." Hilda looked at the two intently. Renton shifted his gaze to Eureka, who was already looking at him. For a moment he searched her face for an answer. Wondering if this was ok with her, but his answer came when she expressed her confidence in a short nod. They both looked back at Hilda and nodded in unison. "Good, then prep the Xellien for launch." After finishing she quickly left. Irik turned around, looking at the two.
"Its time you knew something about the Xellien." Irik turned back towards the door and left. Renton was about to run forward, but stop when realizing something. He turned around facing Eureka.
"He called it Xellien…" A look of surprise also shot across her face. But it was followed by a joyous smile. They left the room and moved down the hall towards the hanger. When they reached it, Irik ran forward and opened the cockpit. Renton and Eureka hurried down the steps and climbed up the Xellien. They sat on either side while Irik took a seat inside.
"Ok, Eureka, remember when you asked me about these extra controls?" He asked her. Eureka nodded in comply. "Well, those controls have special significance. Each set represents different weapons equipped or built into the Xellien. Now, I can't explain all of these yet. Because they tie into the other functions of the Xellien that wont make much sense at the moment. Now, these are the two I want you to know about. This first set is a built in side blades. Press this here." He pointed at the first top button. "And activated two blades to extend out on the side arms, press here." He pointed at the next one down. "And it will slant down slightly, giving a better cutting proficiency. Next one down will allow you to pull out the smaller blades. And the one after that will allow you to combine the two blades. Now, careful when activating that option. No statistics have been recorded on it, and we're not sure how it will handle in action." He stopped for a second, looking over the other options carefully. "Ok, this set right here will activate the arm's Fluctuation Drive. Switching in between these two controls right here." This time he pointed at two buttons close to the main control panels. "That will pull trapar in, and this one will push it out with incredible force. Use it appropriately, it's a dangerous weapon. You can adjust its powers by these knobs here." After pointing at them, he stood up and hopped out. "The rest is up to you."
"Thank you Irik." Renton said before sitting down in the cockpit along with Eureka. Irik smiled back down and stepped off the Xellien. They watch him leave, a slight new energy in his steps.
"Just bring Konner back for us all." He yelled back. While walking away he did a short wave. For a brief few moments, Eureka and Renton had time to just themselves.
"Eureka, are you going to be ok?" He asked, looking over at her. Eureka smiled and took his hand.
"Yes, I'll be fine. We can do this together, I know it." Renton felt the own ends of his lips tip into a smile. They held each others hands while they leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. The door to the hanger suddenly burst open.
"Renton!" A voice yelled, which was quickly followed by a rushing movement of feet. Renton looked down in confusion. He saw Mischa running towards them. "You're not riding the Xellien, get out now!" She stopped bellow the Xellien, looking up defiantly at them. Renton looked over at Eureka, who was looking back at him.
"No, I need to ride the Xellien with Eureka." He attempted to convince her. But she was firm in her demands.
"Renton, you're still not ready to ride that thing, get back down now." She pointed at the ground bellow her. Renton knew he couldn't defy her, but he didn't want to leave Eureka either. Finally he realized what he had to do. So slowly he stood up and stepped down from the Xellien. Eureka instantly stood up behind him, but the comm. stopped her from moving any further.
"Eureka, Renton, launch now." Holland's voice came over. Renton turned around, looking at Eureka. A stressed look passed over Eureka's eyes. She didn't respond back to the comm.. "Hello?" Eureka flinched at the sound.
"Renton won't be coming." Eureka bit her lip as she replied to the comm.. There was a long pause from the other side of the comm..
"You'll have to launch with out him then." Holland responded with a strange tone of voice. Eureka's eyes went wide as he spoke. She looked at Renton, and then back down at the comm.. Renton could tell that she didn't want to do it, and he knew why.
"I can't…" She responded weakly, and feared the coming reaction.
"What do you mean you can't?" Holland asked in confusion.
"Not with out Renton."
"What? You've used the Xellien with out him before?" Holland exclaimed over the comm.. Eureka looked around, having no idea how to answer back to that.
"Please…" She begged quietly back to him. "It's different this time." There was a long pause. Renton could only imagine what Holland must possibly be thinking. For the answer was only held between Renton and Eureka. And that's how it was going to stay.
"Fine…" Was all he said before the comm. shut off. Eureka carefully made her way back down from the Xellien. She quickly glanced at Renton, but then looked away guiltily. Renton understood, and he walked out in front of her.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to." He whispered. Micha shook her head, not really understanding the situation. With a short sigh, she left the two alone. After some time passed, Eureka titled her head back to look Renton in the eyes.
"I just don't want it to happen again." She whispered back, the sparkle of draining tears formed at her eyes. Renton took a step forward and embraced her in his arms. She willingly accepted them and wrapped her own arms around him. The two decided to head for their room. Since heading to the command room was out of the question.
"Maybe we should get the kids?" Eureka tossed the idea over to Renton as they walked down the hall.
"They might already be at the room waiting for us… Then again, they might just be looking for us. I think they'll find us on their own." Renton shrugged, but he was also slightly curious to know where the kids were. He almost wished they were here with them, since it would have been nice for Eureka. Eventually they made it back to the rooms where they both sat on their beds. It wasn't long until the chaos started from the out side. Explosions could be heard around them, along with the massive shakes that grabbed hold of the ships. Eureka suddenly stood up and sat down next to Renton, leaning against him. At first he was surprised, and looked down. But he noticed that her eyes were tightly shut, as if trying to shut out the world. He knew that she felt guilty about not getting in the Xellien, so he softly reached his arm around her as they leaned against the corner wall. The world felt like it should have faded away, it should have just fallen from the grips of their minds. But this time it didn't happen. Guilt was swimming around in their defenseless stomachs. Every explosion that passed by only pushed at the pressure. No matter how hard they held each other, they both knew what had to be done.
"I have to go…" Eureka whispered in a soft voice. Renton slowly looked down, to see that her gaze was held firmly to the ground.
"You don't have to…" He uttered back to her. But as he said that, the feeling at his stomach stabbed at his sides. "But, they need your help." The words barely made it past his lips. She nodded and they both stood up in unison.
"Then I guess I should go." She started for the door, and Renton followed behind. The two walk down, the hall was silent, solemn, and dark. For they both knew, that no matter how calm the halls were, the chaos on the outside would eventually break its way through. Finally they reached the hanger. The Xellien seemed to just sit there, as if waiting for the inevitable. They moved down the steps, and Renton stopped while Eureka climbed into the Xellien.
"Don't give up on yourself Eureka." He called up softly to her, as the Xellien started for launch. She looked over at Renton and smiled weakly.
"Not this time." And the cockpit sealed shut, completely cutting Renton off from Eureka. It felt as if, at that moment, a cold mist had settled itself into the area.
"Good luck." Was all he felt he could say. With one short wave he made his way back up the stairs and down towards the halls. Instead of stopping at his room, he continued down towards the command center. He knew that he could get a better view of what was happening to Eureka from there. Once he reached the door, he stopped and hesitated to open it. But he wasn't going to hide away, not from the truth. So he walked forward, and the door slid to the side to let him through. The chaos of war shot passed him. Commands from Holland shouted across the room. What seemed like thousands of KLFs swarmed around in the air space bellow the view port. To the side, he saw a tall, bulging tower, covered in a white metallic shell.
"Xellien launched!" Gidget called back to Holland.
"Good, start a safe communication channel with Eureka. We don't want any unwanted ears dropping on the conversation, got that Woz?" Holland shouted back to Woz. In which point he noticed Renton staring out from the balcony, and absolute horror covering his face.
"Mmmhp." Was all Woz replied with, but that was good enough for Holland.
"Incoming attack coming from 245 w!" Gidget shrieked as she gazed at the readings. Holland didn't even to send out the command. Moondoggie was already dragging the controls to the left, causing the Gekko-Go to do a sharp turn. A bright beam of volcanic heat shot by, barely missing the Gekko by a few inches.
"Nice Doggie, turn the ship towards that fourth U.F. ship. And Ken-Goh, prepare to fire the cannons." Holland commanded in his firm voice. Ken-Goh quickly nodded and his hands began moving across the controls.
"I got the firm connection Holland, she's all yours." Woz called from behind.
"Good, Eureka, can you hear me?" Holland called out… There was a long pause of silence. A small feeling started to build in Renton's chest. A cold anxious feeling, like a shoving fear. But finally the speaker crackled to life.
"Yes, I'm having a hard time tracking the prototype. The interference from all the other KLFs is…" She paused as a loud bang came from over the comm. "… It's to much to handle." Holland stopped to think for a second.
"Woz, access a file under the name of Z2-98, then follow down the listed data. Is there anything under there that can be used in finding the prototype?" Holland asked curiously and yet urgently. Woz paused, his head moving back and forth, quickly scanning the data.
"Yes, the prototype has a unique comm. device. If you follow these channels right here." Woz paused again "Then you should be able to find him." Renton looked forward again, back out the view port. At that moment he could see a white and blue LFO flying out far ahead of them. It turned about, slicing through an enemy with a short blade attached to the side of its arm.
"I found him." Eureka's voice broke through Renton's deep thoughts. "He's down by the command center. I'll attempt the retrieval process now." Renton followed the Xellien with ever inch of his mind. He waited for the strangest act of fury.
---
The Xellien soared towards the command center. Its bulky mass poked out of the ground with its many swirling support beams. Eureka took a few deep breaths inside the cockpit. She knew that fighting seemed to pull her away, and even so there was a feeling in her that she couldn't recognize. As the Xellien flew down, she followed the signal that blipped across her screen. It didn't take long until the site of a raving KLF shot around in front of her. It was surrounded in a swirling cloud of chaos. Several over KLFs swarmed around it, both red and blue. Blue Eureka instantly recognized at the U.F. And she assumed that the red one belonged to the P.O.F. As she kept her concentration on the battle, she surfed the Xellien forward. There seemed to be small opening, that if she hit it just right, she would be able to shove the prototype out. So she carefully maneuvered the Xellien down. And when she was just bellow the swarm, she shot up. Several KLFs flew by in a blur of blue and red. But one was in her sites, and she pounded right into it. They both shot forward, right through the chaotic storm. She quickly reached down and opened a channel with his KLF.
"Konner! This is Eureka, please abandon your actions and come with me." She called down into the comm. There came no response, but instead she received a massive kick to the stomach. The Xellien arched back under the sudden attack. The prototype started to turn away, but Eureka couldn't let that happen. She quickly grabbed the controls again. The Xellien dipped down and soared back up, slamming into the prototype. They struggled with each other, one doing little to the other. Eureka tried to find some way of disabling him with out destroying him, but none seemed possible. So they continued to fight with each other, accomplishing nothing. But suddenly the comm. turned on. Not from the Gekko-go, but the Mega-Izumo.
"Eureka, this is Klera. Please give me a direct link to Konner. I need to talk with him." Eureka frowned down in utter confusion. She hesitated at first, but slowly she moved her hands across the controls. A link was then sustained from the Izumo, through the Xellien, and to Konner. "Konner… I know that you can hear me. Please, don't abandon yourself away from the world. I don't know how, but an inverse was installed in your KLF. Don't let it control you, it's not your actions!" There came no response, except for a dark silence. "Konner… please… don't give up on me, because I haven't given up on you." Suddenly at that moment the struggling stopped. Neither the Xellien nor the prototype continued in the pointless match. "Konner, please, I…" There was a long pause. Her voice was starting to become weak. It crackled with every word that was spoken. "I know that you love me… I was just scared… I've always been so logical to the world around me. That love just… even though… Even though I loved you too. So please, just pull out the compact drive… Because I cant loose you. Not after all the things you've done for me." Her voice stopped, and for a second, everything seemed to stop for Eureka. It seemed so unlikely, and so concealed. She never even thought that Konner and Klera… loved each other? Eureka shook her head, trying to keep her focus on the battle. Suddenly the prototype went limp. Life just drifted away from the fragile body. Two red KLFs soared in and grabbed it by the shoulder.
"This battle is over, every one retreat! We have the prototype and Konner, there is no need to continue an utterly pointless feud." At that moment everything just started to calm down. Part of the chaos continued, but it only weakened as all the red KLFs pulled away from the battle. A heavy amount of stress just lifted from Eureka's shoulders. The battle was over, and she no longer felt the compelling need to fight. So she gladly controlled the Xellien to move away, but then something slammed against her. The Xellien fell down in a spinning world of confusion. Eureka quickly grabbed the controls, pushing the board against the wind and righting the Xellien.
"What?" She muttered as her eyes quickly scanned the area. It then came to her realization that she was completely surrounded. Bullets were flaring by, blue KLFs were constantly trying to take her down. "I left to late." She uttered after another loud bang almost knocked her off the board. Another KLF came at the Xellien, but this time she was ready for it. The Xellien swiftly turned around, slicing the KLF in half. It felt apart with a swift explosion. But the attacks didn't stop, more and more KLFs piled against her. She had no choice, but to continue to defend herself. So he twisted the board and slammed it against the enemy. Another one came from bellow, but the Xellien pushed off and flipped with its blade in hand, the sharp tips sliced through the attacking KLF.
"My hands…" She whispered, looking down in slight horror. Her body was starting to become numb. It felt as if something were grabbing old of her, and bending her very mind to its desired will. "No… not again… I have to push it out this time." She closed her eyes and shook her head. But when she looked up, dozens of blue KLFs spread out across her vision. Her breath became heavier and quicker. No matter how much she desired to blink, her eyes would not shut. The computer's beeping rang in her ears. She continued to fight, she had to… Then it all just seemed to stop…
---
"Wow… never knew you had it in you." Jake actually stood in amazement, looking at a very uncomfortable Klera.
"Some equations have to be done… whether their formula is understandable or not. I was just pushing away the one I didn't understand. But… I think that's different now." She muttered the last sentence slightly, but there was also something else in her voice that Jake noticed. In all the years he had known her, he had actually never seen her with such a flare. She looked up and out the window, to where a limp KLF was being carried back to the fleeing Izumo.
"Well, I was wondering when the mold was going to break." Jake chuckled slightly as he stepped up next to her. Klera actually laughed herself, instead of criticizing him. He couldn't help but stare at her. A change that he never thought was possible has now submerged her. But what amazed him most was how fast it happened.
"I hope he can remember what I said." Klera said next to him. Jake shifted his gaze over curiously.
"I some how imagine he won't forget… It seems like through you that he was able to find strength to resist. I mean, you know his fear of fighting. Even living in the city Ciudades Del Cielo, and preventing some of the bombings, it still didn't make a difference. But you would only know all to well, since that's where Konner found you right?" Klera nodded and leaned against the bar, looking out the view port in deep thought.
"I'm sure one day he'll find the strength he needs to overcome his fear." Klera stood up as the escorts carried the prototype closer to the Izumo. Jake looked between the two with a strange thought.
"Maybe the strength he needs is already with him…" Klera jerked her head at him with an inquisitive look. He chuckled and stood up. "But hey, what would I know, I'm only a scientist." And with that he started for the door. Klera looked back at him suspiciously, but then gave off a simple shrug and followed him. "Though, I hope you know that, "every" one knows now." Jake seemed to be holding in his own pleasurable laugh. Klera rolled her eyes as the door shut behind them.
---
"Where's the Xellien, why hasn't it returned with the rest of the group?" Holland demanded as the Gekko-Go flew over the calming chaos. Both sides started to pull away. But occasionally a loud explosion would ring through the sky.
"In back of us, she's covered in an immense amount of U.F. KLFs." Renton's head jerked up.
"Dang it… ok, quickly turn the Gekko-Go towards her position. Ken-Goh. Prepare a scatter shot to fly by, so that we can open a way for Eureka to get out." Both MoonDoggie and Ken-Goh nodded. Renton could only watch in hopelessness. His body suddenly felt useless, now that he was unable to help the one he loved. Yet inside his stomach, something burned. It was enduring hope, the absolute need to go out and do something. Yet, there was only the air to grab. "Gidget, connect us with the
Mega-Izumo." Gidjet raised her head and nodded when the connection was established. "Commander Jurgens, are you there?" Holland asked, although he already assumed the answer.
"This is him, what is it Holland?" The firm voice responded.
"Eureka hasn't returned to battle yet. It seems that she's stuck with a group of KLFs. We're going to send in a scatter shot, hopefully it will throw them off.. But I don't think that's going to be enough, can you send in some back up?" He asked. There was a short pause before the comm. opened again.
"Yes, they're on their way now. I'm sending in about ten, so make it quick." Jurgens finished and turned off the comm. Holland nodded and turned back to Gidget.
"Gidget, open a link with the Xellien."
"Got it." She responded and returned to her excessive scanning.
"Eureka, we're sending in support from the Izumo. Before they arrive, the Gekko-Go will fire a scatter shot. When that happens, the enemies should split away, or at least they will if they're smart. When that happens, I want you to take advantage of the confusion and get out of there. Got it?" He asked… but no response came. With a frown of confusion he looked over at Gidget, seeking an answer. She looked up at him and shrugged her shoulders.
"The connections just fine." She pointed down at the console, revealing that she had no idea.
"Strange, well try restarting the connection." Gidget nodded and turned her attention back down to the controls.
"Support coming in, firing the scatter shots!" Ken-Goh announced as four beams quickly shot out from the Gekko-Go. The force knocked them back slightly, but the heated beam soared across the sky. The U.F. units quickly dodged out of the way. And just a few moments later, the P.O.F. made their move. With the confusion in place, the P.O.F. easily took down some of the enemy KLFs. A path was quickly cleared for the Xellien to make it out. But at that moment, nothing happened. The Xellien just kept darting around, taking down the KLF units. One of the P.O.F. units finally moved in and tried to grab her, to carry her away from the battle. But the Xellien reacted with a swift fury. It turned around and cut off an arm of the red KLF. It fell back in shock, never expecting an attack from an ally.
"No…" Renton muttered, the truth wrapping itself around his mind. He knew what was happening, but every one else on the bridge raised in confusion. Slowly he turned around, his body taking over him. The feeling, the need to something submerged his body. With out another moment of hesitation, he left the command room.
---
"What, she attacked him?" Holland shook his head in confusion. Everyone else seemed to be in the same emotion.
"Maybe she was caught off guard from all the action?" Moondoggie suggested from the front. Holland shook his head.
"No… Eureka isn't built like that. Her mind is always on her objective. Something isn't right…" The battle continued, and a few of the P.O.F. units were taken down. But yet the Xellien stood strong, completely annihilating the enemies who opposed her.
"What…" Gidget muttered, squinting down at the computer screen. Her words didn't escape Holland's ears.
"What is it?" He quickly asked, hoping that some how she might explain the confusion.
"The catapult door is opening… and… The 606 is launching!" Holland quickly turned his head back to the balcony, which was now empty. A breath of fresh annoyance seethed through his teeth.
"It's Renton." He noted with out even confirming. "Open a direct link with the 606." Gidget nodded and worked at the controls.
"Link sustained." Gidget announced.
"Renton, what are you doing out in the 606?... You know, never mind, I know why you're there. But what I want to know is how do you think you're going to do it?" Holland asked inquisitively, but his voice hinted at sarcasm. No response came as the 606 pulled out in front of the Gekko-Go, zooming towards the battle.
"All I have to do is get to her… That's all" Renton responded with complete seriousness. No fear was hidden in the back of his voice, he almost sounded as if her truly knew what he was doing. It was a voice that Holland had heard once before… a long time ago.
"Then I leave it up to you… But don't die, and it better come back with out a single scratch."
"No guarantees." Renton responded as he shut off the comm.. Holland didn't laugh, but instead he leaned forward and gazed out at the situation. There was something else going on that didn't make sense. And he knew that the truth would eventually find its way into his grips. But in the mean time, he was getting slightly annoyed.
---
The 606 charged towards the storm of KLFs. Bullet flew by, along with a few attempted melee attacks, but Renton easily avoided them. At the moment, those didn't matter, all his sites were on the Xellien. Slowly he reached down and clicked on the comm..
"Eureka, this is Renton, please respond." Renton looked down at the comm.'s complete silence. Anger started to build in his mind. He reached down and shut off the comm.. Clenching his teeth, he shoved the controls forward. "She's not going to be taken away…" Renton whispered in a cold seething voice. The 606 pierced the winds, getting closer and closer to the Xellien. He felt everything falling back into place, Eureka was only an arms length away. So he reached out to grab, and push her away from the battle.
---
"Ken-Goh, prepare another scatter shot. We might just need one when Renton gets the Xellien out." Ken-Goh nodded and started to work at the console. Holland sat back, looking closely out towards the battle. The 606 was drawing nearer to the Xellien, but then something happened that made the muscles in his arms tighten. The Xellien turn around and stabbed its sword right into 606. The blade cut through the armored shell with little resistance. He stood up, and gazed out to what just happened. After that, everything just seemed to stop.