Chapter 17: Hopes
Renton ran to the bridge right behind Holland. He wasn't really sure what it was, but he was more cautious of the world around him then ever before. The metal panels bellow his feet felt loose. Oddly the lights seemed to flicker for no reason. It was strange to him, he felt like he wasn't apart of this world anymore. Conflicts inside his mind separated him from it all.
They turned one last corner and charged into the Gekko-Go's command room. Inside held the crew of Gekko-State. Every one turned at their entering.
"Welcome back Renton!" Hap cheerily said and turned back to his console. The same greeting was received by everyone, with their own personality to it.
"Gekko-Go, this is captain Jeurgens." Jeurgen's voice cleanly made its way through the speakers. Holland walked over and sat down in his seat.
"What is it Jeurgens?" Holland asked and leaned back in his seat.
"In the next five minutes there will be fifteen more ships coming in, and another twenty or so after that." His voice came gruffly.
"No need, we got Renton." Holland responded back with content. There was a slight pause on the other end.
"Unfortunately that's not enough. The U.F. is sending everything it's got. We'll make sure you get out of here. Once you're gone, it'll be best for you to disappear." Holland raised his head, a stern look masking his face.
"It was unavoidable…" He gritted his teeth as he spoke, "Alright… We'll tak-"
"LFO coming in fast. The computer is having a hard time locking onto its I.D…. Wait, no, that's impossible." Gidjet stuttered and struggled to work at the controls. Holland turned in his seat.
"What is it?" He asked with a stern frown.
"The unit is the FinalBeginning. It'll be here in less then three minutes." She looked up nervously, hesitant to say any more. Holland furiouslu clenched his teeth and faced forward.
"Dang it… they did send her." His head tilted town slightly as he concentrated on what to do. Renton could only stand and watch. Confusion filled his mind. There was so much he wanted to do, anything he could do, but, there was nothing, but there was also something else. A feeling to do much more then what his mind was merely thinking. The sudden realization hit his thoughts as the feeling defined itself within him. Calmly, and yet desperately, he looked over the room. His eyes fell on Artisen, who frowned and made eye contact with him. Both paused, trying to see what the other was thinking. A smirk slowly edged at Artisen's lips, and he nodded. Renton smiled back with gratitude before turning around and facing Holland.
"Holland, please let me go out and help!" He confidently burst out in unexpectedness. Holland didn't even turn his head.
"I'm sorry Renton, but I can't risk you again. And besides, what do you plan to take? We don't have a spare Xellien on hand." Holland calmly stated and continued to gaze out the view port. Renton gritted his teeth, wanting to do so much more, but once again, there was nothing. It was true they didn't have something comparable to the Xellien. All they had was the 606, 808, and 30…
"What about the Devilfish?" He started in new hopes. Holland jabbed his head in Renton's direction. His face was burning with angered disapproval.
"No, Renton, stop trying. I can't let you get captured. You can't handle the Devilfish, that thing could literally kill you! You might be able to match speeds, but you haven't even used it before!" He yelled, causing every one to turn their attention to him. Renton held his gaze, even though he found it increasingly difficult. He was now seeing apart of Holland that he had seen before.
"Please Holland… I think this will be the only chance I have to save her. I can bring her back. You have to let me go Holland!" Renton took a step forward, begging with every ounce of his voice. Holland actually jerked his head back in slight surprise.
"Sir, the Xellien isn't as powerful with out its second pilot." Artisen began. Holland shot his head in his direction, almost threateningly. Artisen didn't blink or flinch, he stood ready to answer. "I've found a lot of information on the LFO. Although it is powerful, it all diverges with the unison of both Eureka, and Renton. If she still cares, which I know she does, then I know Renton would have a fighting chance." Artisen's finished with a solid professional face. Holland clenched his teeth together and faced forward again. He didn't attempt to speak anymore, leaving even the air still. Only a few minutes passed until his head fell and he shook his head.
"Renton… If you die, or if you're captured, then it's all over." He gently lifted his head and turned it towards him. "How can I trust you'll come back?" Renton paused, not really sure on how to answer.
"Let me decide that Holland. I can't run from this anymore." Renton answered with a confident smile. A subtle laugh escaped Holland's lips as he shook his head.
"You changed… not as much, but there was definitely a change. Hurry and take the Devilfish, but please, don't die." Holland nodded and let him leave. Energy filled Renton's chest and he turned around to run.
"Thank you Holland!" He yelled as he dashed out of the room.
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Talho asked with a soft tone.
"Heh, more than ever before. Talho, I think we can win this war." He slowly lifted his head at her. His eyes were strong, but Talho saw the weakness and care behind them. She smiled tenderly and took his hand.
"If we share our strength with him." She responded back.
---
"I can do it." Renton whispered as he ran down the halls, "I can finally turn her back to how she wants to be… to how she was meant to be." His eyes curved with the streak of determination. More then ever did he need to ride an LFO to achieve his hopes. He continued to run but stopped when Irik walked out of a door in front of him.
"Irik?" Renton muttered subconsciously. Irik turned to him in a rush of surprise.
"Re-Renton…" He stuttered and avoided eye contact. Renton frowned, having no idea what was bothering him.
"What is it?" Renton asked and followed his anxious eyes. Irik lifted his head in confusion, as if what he said was from a different language.
"You… don't know?" He asked in careful hesitation. Renton frowned and shook his head. "Dang it." He muttered and turned around. Renton could still only watch in obliviousness.
"What is it Irik?" Gently Renton asked and took a step closer. Irik suddenly twisted his head away in guilt.
"I… need to let you know the truth." He lifted his head up and finally made eye contact, "I made the mistake of hoping for something that wasn't there… I forced myself to believe they had my sister… when I knew they didn't." He tightly closed his eyes as tears started to push through. "I'm so sorry Renton. I've never been apart of the P.O.F., not until now. I've been a spy working for the U.F.. I helped the completion of the Inverse Drive construction, and I helped them capture you." His eyes shut tighter. What ever expression Renton would hold towards him, he didn't want to see it. Renton stared in complete and utter shock. It was a different pain that was now twisting in his stomach as he looked at Irik. It was filled with disgust, but it was mostly turning with hate and anger. It was because of Irik that Eureka was taken, because of Irik that she was in pain, because of Irik that Konner is dead. Renton gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. The burning desire to just let his fist swing was more tempting then Renton had ever known. He took a step forward and slowly raised his hand, but he stopped suddenly. His eyes went wide and he looked over to his shaking fist.
"That isn't me." He whispered too quietly for Irik to hear. An image of Eureka settled in his mind. The feeling of hate and disgust turned to guilt. Irik had said why he did it, because of his sister. The feeling of loosing a younger sister must have been more painful then he could imagine. But he did know what it was like to loose an older sister.
"Irik… Its alright." Renton said and lifted his head at him. Irik's tight eyes opened with wide shock.
"You… aren't?" He struggled to get the words through his mouth. Renton nodded and smiled.
"I know what it's like to loose a sister, whether older or younger." He lifted his head and studied Irik's expression. It was obvious to him now that Irik didn't want to do any of it. "Have you told Holland or the crew?" Irik wiped his soaking eyes and shook his head.
"No, they found out on their own. Holland was the one who forgave me. I was…" He paused and looked around hesitantly. "I know it doesn't make up for what I did. But I tricked the U.F. into thinking I was still on their side. That weapon that created the bubble of empty trapar, I constructed that for the 606. I did the best I could to knock the signals out of both of you… when you left and hadn't made contact in four days… Well, picking up your signal wasn't too hard on the phone lines." He attempted to speak clearly, but his mind was tired. Renton's smile became gentler. Now he could see the true intention behind Irik.
"Irik… when was the last time you got sleep." Renton asked as he noticed his drifting eyes.
"I didn't go to sleep last night…" He called back in a smaller voice. Renton didn't know what else to say, but he did know time was running short.
"Thank you Irik, I do forgive you. I have to leave now, thank you Irik." Renton finished and dashed down the hall. A yawn pressed through Irik's throat as he tiredly walked back into his room. There was a small smile settled in his lips. He plopped into his bed, and let the comfort of sleep take his full body away.
---
"I'm ready…" Renton called into the comm.. He held the drug injection device in his hand, just looking as it left a twisting feeling in his stomach. Some how the device reminded him of the inverse drive, except on a much lower level.
"Renton, there's something you should know." Artisen's voice came through the comm..
"What?" Renton asked and started to lift the device over his head.
"The inverse drive is linked to your mind, and it has a wide range… an incredible large range. Once you're within that range it will try and link with you again. The compac drive on the 303 will not cause any disturbance. So be careful, and good luck." The comm. shut off, leaving Renton to himself. He knew what was about to come, and he knew he had to be strong. Forcefully he shoved the helmet on the head. Four sharp pains stabbed into his skin.
"Gah." His hands shook violently, resisting the desire to rip the helmet off. The pain finally dissipated, and he fell back against his seat. Already he could feel his thoughts merging into forms of Eureka. He wanted to save her from the pain she was in, but he had to wait. Gently he closed his eyes and waited. When he opened them again, the catapult had lowered, revealing the gaseous clouds flying past. In the center of it all was a glowing bright red dot, and beyond that was a rushing wave of splashing green. The whole image made his arms twitched tighter against the controls. A massive cloud of destruction and chaos was heading his way… and he only cared about one thing. The stop lights turned red, and he launched off the pad, tearing apart the air in front of him. Smoothly he twisted around, whipped out his board, and landed on it. Molten green liquid spewed from the back, pouring into the air with flashing colors. Bending forward slightly, the Devilfish activated its backward jets. Fire shot out like a solid pillar of light, sending him towards the chaos at air shattering speeds.
"Holland, please, I don't want to kill you." Eureka's saddened voice weakly made it through the comm.. Renton tightly closed his eyes and shook his head. He could feel her pain just by the sound of her voice.
"No Eureka… It's not Holland, it's me, Renton." He responded back into the receiver. Off in the distance he could see splashes of green from the glowing dot, Eureka had faltered.
"Renton, please come back. They're tricking you into thinking something is real that isn't. You've been brain washed Renton, please listen." She pleaded through the speaker. Renton let out a single laugh. He wasn't sure if it was because of surprised, anger, or sheer shock at how ironic that sounded.
"Eureka, stop listening to that feeling in your head. Those thoughts aren't yours!" His voice started to burn with anger. "That compac drive in the Xellien is not a compac, it's an Inverse drive!" He yelled and slammed his fist against the side. His breath sped up, and his eyes flashed wider and smaller. The drugs were starting to seize his body. Inside he could feel his heart thumping within his chest. Things around him started to shift and blur. "Dang it… Holland's right." He whispered breathlessly.
"Renton." The voice broke into his thoughts and his eyes finally focused. He lifted his head just in time to see the Xellien smash against him. A loud thundering crack boomed from the collision. He felt his whole body squeeze against his seat from the sheer pressure. Shadows crawled against his vision, but the drugs within him barely kept his mind active and awake. Still, even with the effects, he felt reality swerving and turning around him.
The Xellien gripped the head of the Devilfish and pulled. Screeching metal pierced the air.
"No." Renton yelled and twisted the controls. The Devilfish turned and shoved its knee into the Xellien. Both fell away from each other and quickly regained balance. A short pause of peace settled between the two as they regain breath.
"Eureka… can't you feel something is wrong?" Renton whispered into the comm.. The Xellien stared back ominously with out a word. Its eyes seemed slacked and dead. When no response came, Renton clenched his teeth and shoved the wheel forward.
"EUREKA!?" He screamed and slammed his LFO against hers. They struggled with each other, random loud bangs emitting from all around.
"Renton… I want to." Her voice some how made it through all the chaos. "But." She whispered weakly.
"Eureka, don't let him confuse you as well!" Another voice suddenly broke through the speakers. The very sound of it made Renton crush his wheel with shaking fury. It was Rekina, the one who had started Eureka's confusion, convincing her what was right and wrong.
"Eureka, lis-" He started, but a pure white LFO shot through and slammed him away from the Xellien.
"Renton, the P.O.F. has tricked you. They've made you believe in something that isn't real. You and Eureka hold something very real, something in this world that needs to be amplified and flourished. Don't waste it on false hopes. Here with the U.F. we can make sure you're safe with her. We will not let any one touch the sacred thing which you and Eureka have made." Rekina's convincing voice rang inside his ears. Eureka, U.F., Rekina, and hope were all stirring inside his thoughts. At that moment, he felt as if he could really trust Rekina, but he instantly realized the truth behind it all.
"You're giving me false hopes… you know what I want, and you know what Eureka wants. All you are doing is Corrupting our Hopes with your own." His teeth clenched tighter and tighter, to the point where he was sure it would all shatter inside his mouth.
"Give me back EUREKA!" The Devilfish suddenly broke out into a molten erratic furry. It raised both hands, put them together and slammed the top of the angelic LFO. The LFO lost its grip and fell backwards. Renton didn't stop there. He could feel his rage filling his arms with energy. With out a moment of rest, the Devilfish shot forward and slammed a solid fist right through the LFO's stomach. Its hand pierced through like rock through paper.
"Idiot you've-" Rekina screamed through the crackly comm.. The Devilfish let go and raised a swift kick into the white LFO's chest. Its board slipped out from under it, flying off into some unknown destination. The LFO itself fell backwards through the air until it slammed against the ground. Dust flew into the sky, covering the air in a dirty haze. Renton gripped the controls again, ready to finish what he had begun. But his grip quickly loosened as he realized what he was doing.
"Curse it all." He whispered through heavy breaths, "I can't kill you… I don't want to." His throat became dry and crackly. Slowly he turned the 303 to face the Xellien, which was silently hovering in the air.
"Renton… I can't remember… I want so badly to remember it all, everything about everything… But I can't." Any strength in her voice was completely gone. He could hear her whimpers softly crackling through the speakers.
"Eureka, drop the Xellien and just come with me… please." He begged. There was a long pause where no sound would reach his ears. Finally, the Xellien drifted forward and stopped in front of the Devilfish.
"I trust you Renton, more than I trust anything else." Her voice was stronger this time, more confident then before. Renton wasn't really sure how to explain the absolute feeling of joy and happiness that was now crawling throughout his body.
"Eureka, let's go home." He answered back.
"Rent-" Her voice started, but it was quickly flushed out by a more powerful one.
"Activate the waver releasers. I don't care if it will kill her, just activate them!" Rekina's powerful voice boomed through the comm.. Suddenly a screamed filled Renton's ears, one that twisted around every muscle in his body.
"Renton!" Eureka screamed in pain. Renton controlled the Devilfish to grip the Xellien.
"Eureka, what's wrong, what is it?" He yelled desperately, but only her screams would come back in reply. Then the screaming abruptly stopped, leaving the room in disturbing silence.
"Eureka?" He called hesitantly. No reply came, instead the Xellien raised a fist and slammed it against the Devilfish. The harsh attack sent the LFO toppling through the air and towards the ground. It came within bare inches of impacting the ground, but it quickly swerved its boards and twirled forward. Everything around it span out of control as it barely attempted to gain balance against the winds. Finally it kicked its board back up and swerved towards the Xellien.
"Eureka?! What is wrong with you?" Renton yelled into the comm., charging the Xellien. The Xellien dodged out of the way of his head on attack. Its hand whipped out and gripped the board, causing the Devilfish to flip forward and out of control once again.
"Gah." He muttered while gritting his teeth. The Xellien charged forward, cleanly flying through the air. Wind shattered as the Xellien charged and smacked into the Devilfish. The power forced Renton forward in his seat. Darkness once again crawled around his vision, but the drugs were still kicking in.
"Renton." A dull monotone voice called. "I cant." Eureka's voice sounded over the comm.. Renton gritted his teeth and whipped the Devilfish around. It twisted into the grip of the Xellien, releasing screeching sound that shattered glass. It then raised both arms and gripped the Xellien's Shoulders.
"Eureka, listen to me… PLEASE!" He yelled with every tone achievable in his voice. "The Inverse Drive is controlling you… please… please listen!" He begged and slammed both fists on the control panel.
Eureka could hear his voice, but it was suddenly drowned down by a sound of flapping wings. She looked around the view port to see thousands of black trapar birds clutter around the Xellien. They crowded until they some how sunk into the Xellien, and left her in pitch black darkness. Her eyes dashed around nothingness in horror. She could still hear Renton's muted voice calling from some where in the distance. A brief second later and it was completely gone. Opening her mouth she screamed his name. But even as she opened her mouth, no sound left it. Her eyes grew wide and twitched violently. She quickly realized that she was alone in the darkness. A feeling of hopeless froze the inside of her stomach. There was no hope inside the vast space of emptiness. Gently she curled into a ball, hugger her knees, and planted her head inside her arms. A cold wind was pushing against her. Where this wind derived, she couldn't tell. It continued to shiver her body with sliding pains.
"Renton… I can't." She mouthed, but still no words came. Suddenly a feeling encased her hand and filled her whole body with warmth. It was so familiar, that her head shot up in shock. The feeling was a hand taking hers. It was spilling hope into her body, and it was stronger than ever before.
"Renton?" Her voice scarcely whispered. The hand gently pulled hers with care. She didn't resist its soft touch, she wanted it to direct her. Floating into the air, the invisible hand led her back down. Her hand rested around some useable object. Its cold solid surface pressed against her skin. A frown incased her brows as she wondered what it was. Like drifting wind another warm hand cusped around hers. There were now two hands, each one suddenly pressured her one into gripping the cubic object. They both then forced her to pull up with incredible strength. At first she felt a spark of hesitation, but Renton's image encased her mind, and she pulled as well. The darkness around her cracked, light filled the creases with a gentle bright glow. She pulled harder, and the cracks multiplied and became thicker. All the cracks then shattered, shooting rays of gold and white light into her vision, but along with it came a flowing wave of sound. All the shattered pieces started to spin around her and morph into black trapar birds. swerving winds surrounded her as the creatures continued. The harder she pulled, the weaker the invisible hands became. But then another strength instantly pushed energy through out her body.
"EUREKA!" Renton's voice made her rip and twist the object. The light behind the black trapar birds faded, revealing she was inside the cockpit. Her eyes moved down to view the object in her hand… the Inverse Drive. With Renton's voice still filling her body, she pulled one last time. The Inverse Drive's glass cracked, and its dark purple glow began to fade and flicker with green. All the trapar birds stopped, as if some strong plain wind had halted them. Immediately after, they all faded away into a pure black smoke. Eureka quickly shot her eyes around the cock pit. Her whole body was shaking. So many emotions had just flashed through her, that her mind was mixed with realization. A small gurgling feeling slowly pressed up her throat. She closed her eyes and covered her mouth. This feeling was new to her, but she felt it coming. Just as it reached her mouth, it faded, and sharp pain glanced across her left wing. It felt as if a thousand needles were being dragged across it's jell like surface. She stared back in horror, noticing for the first time its dark purple color. Little violet bolts popped and scaled across her wing. As the pain itself became stronger, she gripped her shoulder and watched. Suddenly the dark purple sucked into her like a liquid and disappeared, restoring her wing's brilliant green glow.
"Geh…" She coughed and looked at her other wing, seeing that it was still a dark purple. "Renton?" Her voice crackled weakly. When she glanced up she saw the Devilfish. It was cracked, dented, twisted, and mangled. She glanced around to see that the Xellien was gripping devilfish, as devilgish was gripping the Xellien back. Her eyes grew wide in horror.
"Renton?" She called and begged with all her mind for him to answer.
"I'm sorry Eureka…" He whispered, and the Devilfish slipped off its boards. It periled down to the ground until it slammed against the surface.
---
"Get ready to cut off the first wave!" Holland yelled, watching the Devilfish charge at the Xellien.
"Holland, that will be impossible with just us." Hap responded back with doubt. Holland immediately nodded, but his eyes were solid with order.
"We won't let this battle fail…" His voice called through the room. Every one nodded and put their full attention on their positions.
"Firing!" Ken-Goh announced and pressed a few controls. The Gekko-Go's guns fired, sending six lasers… or twenty, thirty, fifty, eighty, one hundred.
"What in the?" Holland frowned and stared at all the other lasers that were flying past them from behind.
"Glad to see we're thinking on the same page Holland." Jeurgens voice came through the comm.. Holland smirked and leaned back in his seat.
"Your timing couldn't be better then ever Jeurgens." Holland responded humorously.
The battle between the P.O.F. and U.F. had started. Holland now saw the waking of this battle open before all their lives. Hundreds of beams shot across the sky, piercing the thousands of oncoming KLFs. The attacks filled the skies with pink puffs of smoke. At the head of the charging U.F. was a large pure white cruiser. Heading right back was the P.O.F., their lead coming with a reflective green Gekko-Go. The skies once again blazed with green fire from both sides.
"We're going to take down that white ship." Holland said with determination. The Gekko-Go suddenly broke into the wave of KLFs. It twisted and turned in the air, avoiding collision with any of the units.
"Five S.U.s on each side heading towards out position!" Gidjet spurted out as they flew across.
"We'll just have to charge strait through…" Holland muttered and quickly summed their surroundings. "Doggie, barrel to the right and do a side cut. Ken-Goh, get ready to charge the cannons at the side of that ship." Ken-Goh twisted around in his seat, a tight frown between his brows.
"The blast and our momentum would not only send us off course, but the blast along with us." Ken-Goh stated to Holland's opinion.
"That's what I'm hoping for." Holland replied and smirked. Ken-Goh shook his head and turned back in his seat. The Gekko-Go charged strait at the white cruiser. It continued to charge until it twisted side ways and the cannons shot strait beams of heat. The lasers smeared the metal into molten mush. Each scrape cause several explosions of black flaming smoke. The streaming blast pushed the Gekko-Go back and the beams retraced the already deep gash.
"Ahhh, I see Holland." Ken-Goh let out a laugh from deep within his chest. But just as the excitement was building, the Gekko-Go was sent into a hard spinning whirlwind.
"Doggie!" Holland yelled as the command room shook.
"I got it!" He replied in a strained voice. The Gekko-Go flatted out against the wind, twisted to its normal direction, and turned to face forward.
"Good work Doggie." Hap told him and turned back to his station. Moondoggie let out a relieved sigh and smiled.
"The war isn't over yet, turn around and do an over shot." Holland yelled. The Gekko-Go turned around in the air. Several beams shot around them, all aimed at the Gekko-Go, but the green ship's sound breaking speed surpassed their heated tips. The beams missed and scattered about, hitting stray U.F., P.O.F. ships and KLFs. The Gekko-Go passed over the white ship. Slots opened on the Gekko-Go's wings, each one launching several little missiles. All the missiles spread out like a pluming cloud and back down around the Gekko-go into the white ship.
"S.U.s coming in, this time all ten together!" Gidjet screeched. Holland grinded his teeth and quickly analyzed all his options, but there were little.
"Gekko-Go, move down!" Jeurgens voice sounded through the speakers. Moondoggie frowned and glanced at Holland's approval.
"Doggies!" Holland yelled furiously. Moondoggie turned around and jabbed the controls. The Gekko-Go barely avoided collision with the Super Izumo. The Izumo charged forward and slammed into the ten oncoming S.U.s Each one clattered against the Izumo's strong metal hall.
"Nothing can break this ships shielding." Jeurgens defiantly stated. Holland smirked, having no objection to the statement.
"Let's take down that white ship." The Gekko-Go and Izumo dived forward, side by side. Each one turned off to either direction and faced sideways. Several missiles launched from the back, going out and back into the ship. Both the Izumo and the Gekko-Go fired their cannons. The beams dug deep into the ships hall, searing a deep cut right through the ship. When the beams reached far enough, each one punched through, exploding out the other side.
"That ought to do it!" Holland yelled. Explosions burst all around the back of the ship, ripping its metallic frame to shreds. Slowly it tilted forward and crashed into the ground. The whole ship crackled under its own pressure. Its once beautiful frame was completely crushed. Upon impact, a large shockwave pressed through the ground, sending a wave of dust particles in a large spreading circle, followed a series of cracks randomly appearing across the landscape. Holland frowned in confusion.
"Hap, open a window to the rear of the Gekko-Go." Holland asked and waited. Hap nodded and punched in a few keys. A small corner of the view port lost its transparency and was replaced by a screen. The screen revealed a large landscape that suddenly cut off into nothing.
"Dang it." He muttered and turned his attention back to the field, "We're at the edge of the outer shell and the land is breaking." Ken-Goh and Hap both looked up to see the several cracks that was now on the land.
"Another break off… now it'll be impossible to avoid damaging the outer shell." Hap said and gritted his teeth, knowing that they had just done an undoable mistake.
"Get a zoom in on the Devilfish." Holland commanded and Hap replied with another nod. The screen from before changed to two LFOs speeding towards the ground, one trying to catch the other. His eyes turned wide as he watched. "Did Renton do it?... or is it…" He closed his mouth and waited with a fierce glare.
---
"Renton!" Eureka yelled and pushed the Xellien to go faster. The LFO sped down with every attempt to steady the Devilfish. The second the Devilfish was within grasp, Eureka hit the controls and the Xellien wrapped its arms around the LFO. She pulled back once more, barely catching the splattering waves to steady her. The Xellien swerved back and forth between the waves. It finally spiraled down and landed on the ground. A cracked appeared nigh close to catching them within its deep bowels. The hatch to the Xellien slid open with out her having to even do anything. Gently the Xellien laid the Devilfish on its back.
"Renton!" She yelled again, but heard no reply. Her eyes scanned around the Devilfish's frame woozily, it was almost completely destroyed. Her mind was free. Now that Rekina was most likely dead, the Inverse Drive would no longer have effect on her. There was an odd light headed feeling in her mind, as if her whole body had no weight at all. She was almost afraid to jump down and not fall, but her fear for Renton was great, much greater. Not a single thought of hesitation passed before she hopped down and stumbled across the rocky ground. She shifted her eyes back and forth. The grounds around them were littered with scrap metal, KLFs, and even a few P.O.F. and U.F. pilot bodies. Her attention immediately turned back to the Devilfish. The cockpit slid open and Renton stood up. A cut on his forehead was slowly draining blood from his already exhausted body. The slacking in his eyes urged Eureka to rush faster. Slowly he made his way down from the LFO, but his leg turned lazy and he slipped off.
"Renton!" She yelled for the third time. He hit the ground, and Eureka ran in with her arms wrapping around him. Tenderly he held her back, not having enough strength in his arms to express his true feeling. Even though his body was tired, there was now a new burning fire within him.
"Eureka." He whispered in calm joy. Eureka tightly held him as he did her.
"I'm sorry Renton… I'm so sorry for what I did." She cried into his shoulder. He shook his head and smiled.
"No, we're alright… everything is alright now." There was just a moment of relishing in the renewed feeling they had.
"What am I going to do… after all I've done… all the pain I've caused." Eureka asked and softly pulled away from Renton. She saw a pure calm and confidence in his eyes. It reflected the very thing she loved inside him.
"They were just as worried as I was, Eureka. When you're back… this war will be over. Now that Rekina is dead." He stopped and looked at all the ruin that was placed around them, "I wish so many people hadn't died." Quietly he said and his eyes dimmed in sadness. Eureka pulled herself back into his arms.
"We can't forget this… can we…?" Renton nodded his head against hers.
"No, we have to bear with our mistakes." He answered back. Eureka didn't like it, but the feeling he was giving her was more powerful. She knew now that everything would be alright.
"I don't want to loose you again."
"You won't." He answered, "What about the Xellien?"
"It was also bound by the Inverse Drive." She said and gently turned around to see it sitting silently. Even though its face held no emotion, the tired fatigue in its eyes could be seen.
"He lives with us… by us…" Renton said next to her. She nodded and turned back into his arms.
"We can't leave him alone. He's changed, just like you and me. We can't let Holland or anyone dismantle it. Please… we can't." Eureka held him tighter. Renton nodded and continued to stare at the abused LFO, even though no marks touched its armor. He turned his eye back to Eureka and suddenly every muscle in his body turned tense. Gently he moved his arms and gripped her shoulders.
"Eureka… please forgive me for what I'm about to do. I love you Eureka…" Suddenly his grip around her shoulders tightened and he threw her to the side. She fell and hit the ground. Right after, a bang shook the air, earth, and distance. She twisted her head around to see Renton stand up, gripping his chest in pain. He stumbled backward and began to fall off the cliff. For that split second time slowed down, where seconds became minutes, and days became weeks. She watched him slowly fall. His eyes were directed at her, they revealed a powerful form of sadness. But one thing she noticed was his desire for strength, something he couldn't get. Time shifted back to normal speed. He fell down the crack that they had barely avoided when landing. Eureka felt a cold sharp pain stab up through her body.
"Renton." She started in a quiet whisper, "RENTON!" She screamed with such intensity. He was gone, with out another trace of his face to be seen again. Her hands were shaking unstably. It suddenly became very cold, so cold that the very essence of darkness was shaking her body. Slowly she turned her head to see Rekina standing on her ruined LFO. She held the gun that had removed Renton from his body.
"The mission was a failure." Rekina said with utter calm. Eureka stood, staring blankly at her. "Its time to remove any other possible threats to future missions." She turned her gun and aimed it at Eureka. Eureka didn't even make a move to dodge. The trigger was pulled and the bullet seared the air, but it missed. Instead it hit the golden hair pin on Eureka's head. It ricocheted off and down into the never ending pit bellow. Tenderly she raised her hand and felt that the golden pen was gone. Her hand shook harder at the touch, until it tightly clenched together into a fist. Tears streamed down from her eyes and seeped into her lips. She felt an emotion that she had felt before, but this time it was real. It started to burn her entire body, engulfing the cold, but still leaving the twisting pain. Ominously she stepped forward next to one of the mangled bodies of the soldiers. Bending down she picked up a gun.
"Oh please, you are a simple weapon to be used Eureka… although you hold great potential, there is nothing left in you but a threat. But I have mercy upon those that I have inflicted pain upon. Therefore, I won't let you suffer in this world." She lifted her gun and aimed it at Eureka. "Maybe we'll meet again." For once, a smirk crackled on her lips. She pulled the trigger… and only received a click. The sound pressed her eyes into wide white, "Out?" She whispered in complete horror. Eureka raised her gun, aiming it directly at Rekina. No word pressed against Eureka's lips. No anger expressed itself on her face, but only wide eyes of surprise. She could feel it burning inside her, the hate she felt towards Rekina… and the pain she had caused her.
"You plan to kill me then?" Rekina abruptly questioned. Her eyes darted around, searching for something that could help her. "Let your pain swell within you… let it control you like you let the Inverse Drive." She stopped and threw a weapon more powerful then a simple gun. Rekina's words pressed deep into Eureka's chest, allowing the pain to become thicker. Finally Eureka resisted it no more. The tip of her gun exploded, and the bullet pierced Rekina's forhead. Still, it wasn't enough. Eureka pulled the trigger again, and again at the already fallen body. The gun didn't stop until there were no more bullets to give. Her hand shook violently and her breath became erratic.
"Is this real?" She asked and fell to her knees. Renton's arms were no longer there to support her, she was alone. Turning her head she spotted another gun lying on the ground. Temptation spoke deathly thoughts to her mind, but she instantly turned her head away.
"No… I can't let myself go… not after all Renton has..." She couldn't get the last words through her throat. It had a meaning to painful for her mind to bear. Still the cold thoughts submerged her mind. Renton's fearing, loving, caring, understanding, powerful, and gentle eyes would know longer touch her heart. It suddenly occurred to her how cold the world was becoming.
"Renton." She begged to her empty soul. With no more strength, she fell to the ground and curled into a ball. It almost felt as if she was in the dark pit of nothingness again… nothing again…
---
"Impossible…" Holland whispered as what had just happened was unreal, but it all unraveled before his eyes. The whole command room exceeded no sound. None was needed. All of their minds were on the same thought. Standing up Holland stepped out of his chair.
"Prepare the 606 for launch, I'm going to help her." Holland said and stepped out of his chair. No one spoke a word of disapproval as he left the room.
He sailed down the green winds and swooped up to land on the hard crackling ground. The cockpit to the 606 slipped open and he stood up. Just on the ground bellow him was a motionless Eureka.
"Eureka." He said in a silent voice, sympathy drowning its strength. Carefully he made his way down and knelt next to Eureka. The tears streaming down from her eyes instantly caught his notice.
"Eureka." He said in a stronger voice. Her head flipped to the right with wide and confused eyes. When she realized it was Holland, she turned back. "We have to go…" He said and laid a hand on her shoulder. Still no response came. A sigh fell from his chest as he thought of what to do next.
"Holland… I didn't mean to… I didn't want him to." She started in a voice that was already bound to cry. Holland tenderly nodded and picked her up off the ground.
"Don't worry Eureka… Let's get back to the Gekko-Go." He said in a faked confident voice. Once again Eureka's eyes turned wide and she faced him.
"No, we can't leave the Xellien behind." Her eyes held the very meaning of disparity. A frown quickly covered Holland's face.
"Eureka… is the Inverse Drive still?" He said, but he didn't want to believe it. Eureka shook her head and closed her eyes.
"It was trapped like me… confused by the curse of that device. But with Renton's help I destroyed the device. Please Holland, don't let the child slip away and be forgotten… don't let the same thing happen twice." She barely wisped as she began to cry. Holland held her close and nodded reassuringly.
"Alright, I understand Eureka. I'll have two KLFs carry it over." He responded, but wasn't to sure he would follow through. Turning back he saw that the Xellien's head was now lifted up at them. It almost scared him, but the look in its design reminded him of something else and confirmed his belief in Eureka.
"You're right Eureka, we can't let this one slip away." His words were strangely more aimed away from Eureka, and more towards himself.
---
"So that's it… they all retreated." Artisen shook his head and plopped into a chair. He and Hap were the only ones inside the command room.
"After they heard what happened to Rekina… well." He drifted off and looked up at the view port. The Gekko-Go had landed on the ground, beyond them several more P.O.F. ships could be seen, along with the Izumo.
"And where is Eureka?" Artisen's brows creased at his own question. Hap's head fell down.
"Like I would know."
---
There was a tap at Klera's door. She twisted her head at it and dropped the pencil.
"Jake is still on duty." She whispered and tenderly held her hand. Lately she had been writing non stop. Every muscle in her hand was aching tiredly. Getting up from her chair, she moved over to the door and slid it open. Behind it was Irik, some one she recognized instantly.
"You, how did you get onboard?" She gawked and fell back before catching herself. Irik sighed and looked away uncomfortably.
"I didn't suspect you would know." He barely admitted from his trembling mouth. Klera noticed the expression on his face, but she wasn't going to let it catch her off guard.
"Why are you here? Why did you do it?" Each question buried deep into his mind. He wasn't here to answer question, but now that he thought about it, maybe he was.
"I made a mistake Klera. It wasn't my intention to have Konner killed… that wasn't apart of the plan at all." He laughed angrily and tightly closed his eyes, "There wasn't even a plan." Klera couldn't help but frown at Irik's odd emotions. He had never acted like this before. Still, the mention of Konner tinged a cord deep within her. Already the tears were slowly piling on her lids.
"Then why are you here?" She asked again, Irik opened his eyes away from her.
"I was an idiot. I came to let you know the truth." He turned his head back to her. Now she could tell he was being absolutely serious, and something inside told her to listen. "I've been apart of the U.F. for a long time. They had been working on the project Xellien… or FinalBeginning sense my father's death, even before then. After my father died, as you know, my whole family was killed off, besides me." He gritted his teeth, hating these memories most of all, "I-I'll jump to the point… The U.F. wanted me back. I immediately refused, but they said they still had my sister, and I would have her back if I came." He lifted his head up and glanced around the room with moistening eyes. "I can't believe I went along… even when deep inside me I knew it had to be untrue. But it was the hope it gave me… That I wasn't the only one…. And…" He stopped, and let the room overcome with silence. Klera stood with little emotion, except for the tears streaming down her face. Irik wasn't sure what to look at. His eyes were swiftly moving around the room.
"Your little sister?" Klera softly called. Irik finally stopped and kept his eyes off to the side.
"Yes… I'm sorry Klera. If I had known the consequences… I was being an idiot." He turned around, facing the door. "I'm sorry that I inflicted so much pain on you. More than anything, I wish I could go back and stop what happened. I didn't know that's what would happen… I'm sorry." He finished and started out of the room.
"Wait, Irik." The call of his name stopped him in his steps. Gently he turned around with saddened eyes. Klera shared the same look, but it slipped into a smile, "Why don't you stay here? Jake will be getting off shift soon. I'd also like to show you the book I've been writing." Her voice was more cheerful. Nothing like he had heard from her before, but that made it all the sweeter. A smile stamped itself on his face, and he nodded.
"Thank you… You've been writing?" He asked, wondering if he would cry or laugh. Suddenly things started to seem normal to him, or rather they didn't. It wasn't exactly the same; so many new emotions were stirring about, ones he liked.
"But Irik… how is Eureka?" She asked grimly. Irik forgot the new touch of happiness.
"After Renton fell down through the outer shell crack. She has just disappeared, wandering around some where in the Gekko-Go." He replied.
"I thought I would hate her, after I heard the Xellien destroyed Konner's KLF, but I couldn't hate her… she was confused, I don't even think she knew Konner was in there." Her eyes came tighter together with pushing sorrow, "But now she'll probably blame herself for Renton's death… I don't know what to do." She whispered and silently. Irik nodded, wondering if there was anything he could do for Eureka.
---
"Sorry Talho, I was checking just a few last things with Jeurgens. We checked the crack that Renton had fallen through… it goes all the way through. They predict that that section of the land will break off soon." He walked across their room and sat next to Talho on the couch. She leaned into him, holding their baby along with her.
"So he's gone…" She asked. Holland hesitated, but he nodded, "Do they plan on searching for a body?"
"No, it would be impossible. Even if we did, I don't want Eureka to see it." He shook his head and rested his face in his hands, "I didn't think it would all happen like this." His voice crackled within his throat, "I have no idea how Eureka will take this in the end."
"I've always felt like they were our children… That we were there for them when their parents were gone… but now a part of the family has been broke." She paused and tilted her head down towards the baby, "We need to be there for her." Holland nodded, feeling exactly the same way. He followed her gaze back down to the baby as well.
"This happened at the worst time… the Gekko-Go is loosing its grip. Rekina is dead, and with the last heir of the sages gone, the U.F. will resort to some other tactless form. This war didn't end with the death of a hero. His death wasn't fair." He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.
---
Eureka sat alone against the Xellien. Later back the Gekko-Go crew and other P.O.F. hoisted it into the Gekko-Go hanger. She sat limp against the Xellien. Her face and eyes were lifeless, and her emotions were spinning with hopelessness.
"He's… gone." She said in a solemn voice. No response came except the silence. "I didn't want it to happen Xellien, but it's my fault, it's all my fault. Rekina was right in what she said. I let the Inverse Drive control me." Her voice echoed slightly.
"It's cold Xellien… It's so much colder now that he's gone." Gently she covered her eyes with her hands. Some time pass when her head suddenly shot up and turned around in surprise. The door to the Xellien slid open, beckoning Eureka in.
"You feel the same way?" She asked with saddening wonder. Silently she stood there listening to a voice only she could hear.
"Thank you." Reaching up, she carefully climbed the smooth, curved edge of the Xellien's side. When she slipped into the cockpit, the door slid shut. The air was thick with silence, so much, that Eureka hugged her knees to suppress the cold feeling.
"I don't want to believe it Xellien." She called in a soft voice. Slowly the silence began to sting her ears, but there was nothing she could do. Renton was dead, gone from the world they loved and saved. The strength to feel hate was drained from her body. She didn't want to know how she was going to live the next years of her life. Out of weakness, she leaned down and gave up. Her voice broke out into loud cries of pain. In response, the Xellien's shields dimmed, leaving her in solitude. Tighter and tighter she held herself, just trying to muffle the pains of guilt. Even if that pain did go away, she knew that the sting of silence would touch her ears forever.
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That's the end of book 1, Eureka seven: Corrupted Hopes. I'm starting book two up within next week. I'm also setting a new date. My submissions have usually been spontaneous and out of order. From now on, you can just go to my profile and check my status. Also, I will now be submitting my chapters every Saturday. This way you people won't be left so confused, wondering if I'll ever submit another chapter. Don't worry, when I feel like I need to stop writing, which isn't going to happen, you guys will know before I do. Yes, that doesn't make sense, my point.
Also, for those who don't want to leave a review on this website, or have a question for me. I have made an email specifically for answering questions or if you just want to let me know about something in my story. Here in that email: kasterrevised yahoo . com . You'll have to fill the spaces in yourself. Due to the one thing that will mess it up, but that's for you people.
I have a question as well. Would you guys like me to start submitting my stories in double space? I'm planning to go back to chapter one and make the change. I would have done it by now, but when I was doing so, it screwed a few things up. So It'll take longer then I thought.
One last thing, my next book will be coming out pretty soon. I already have a title, one you might have picked up on. Any who, that's not the point. I'm going to start a poll really quick for a special ship that is going to be in my next book. I won't tell you guys what this ship is… until the next book… what'ya know? So here are the names:
Oxalin
Night Iris
Black Iris
(Your suggestions)
(Your suggestions)
You people get to suggest your own names in the review for this chapter. Then, I want every one to vote on a name in the review section of this book. Once people have voted, I'll take the sums, and that will be the ship's name. I hope you people vote.
This is the end of book one my good friends, tah tah. Questions will be answered as more questions are raised. So soon to come is:
Eureka Seven: The Sting of Silence. (book two)