Five Star Stories Side Stories 2
part 3
by Shawn Hagen
Five Star Stories is the property of Mamoru Nagano and this work is in on way a challenge to those rights.
My thanks to Michael Duggan for proof reading assistance.
Elenoin was a little overwhelmed by the press of students moving into the lecture hall.
"This is a huge class," Elenoin said to Machiko.
"I don't even think half these students are actually enrolled in the class," Machiko told her.
"What does this professor teach?"
"Military history. Quick, this way," Machiko said suddenly as she ducked through the space offered by a large student's progress through the crowd.
"I never suspected that there were so many military history otaku on campus," Elenoin said as they entered the large lecture hall.
"Please. Machiko rolled her eyes. "Come on, two seats down there. She led Elenoin to the free seats she had spotted. "It's the basic content of today's lecture that interests people."
"How do you know what he will be talking about?" Elenoin asked as she took a seat.
"He gives out a schedule for all his classes; wants to make sure people read up on the background material."
I see. What is today's lecture then?"
"Ever heard of Lymmiers Gorge?"
"Don't think so."
"Big battle there long time ago. There was a mutiny; bunch of Headliners were killed," Machiko told Elenoin. Her eyes seemed to shine.
"I guess that would interest people," Elenoin said, wishing she had known about the professor some time ago. What better place to recruit students than at such a lecture?
Sitting back in her seat Elenoin decided she was going to have to learn more about professor Amatri.
Markus moved to the podium, setting his neatly typed notes down on the desktop. He took a pair of glasses from his pocket and put them on. Pushing a lock of hair behind his ear covered the motion of activating the small radio that Namia would use to coach him if he needed it.
He looked about his audience. There was a set of cameras in his glasses; useful for recording who came into the lecture hall. They also served as binoculars of sorts, reading where his eyes focused and zooming in or pulling back. It was a bit discontenting actually, giving him a slight sense of vertigo and always leaving him with a headache after each lecture.
There were familiar faces in the crowd, people he had marked out before as possibilities. He would check back on them during certain parts of his lecture.
He took note of Machiko Indelis who was a regular. She was talking to another young woman - someone new; not one of his students, that was certain. He thought he might have seen her around and she matched the description of the young woman who had humiliated Damos. Worth while to watch her.
Let s begin, he called out and the lecture hall quieted.
BREAKBREAKBREAKBREAK Elenoin sat in her seat, feeling herself being moved by Professor Amatri's words. He was a very good speaker and he never looked at his notes. He was spending more time watching his audience, gauging their reaction. She suspected that he was changing things, ever so slightly, to affect them that much more.
He's good, Elenoin thought, leaning forward. Handsome, a nice speaker and he knew his stuff.
The scene at Lymmiers Gorge was taking shape in her mind. He painted the picture well, including all the important and pertinent facts. He was not just able to fire up his audience but educate them as well.
Elenoin looked about the room and could see the effects of his words on some of the students faces. Some of them were angry, angry at a society that worshipped war, angry at the warrior class who ruled from their gold and silver towers. Some of them seemed confused, faced with an uncertain future, frightened, looking for someone or something to blame. Some of them were looking almost eager, wanting what was being offered, a chance to strike back.
Not everyone there showed the emotions as strongly, or even at all. Many of them were only there to hear a good speaker, and perhaps because of some interest in the topic material, but that was only to be expected.
It was one of the first solid leads she had picked up.
It should make Edward happy.
"Elenoin Hashita, expelled from 'Queens University' on Addler, reasons are protected by a privacy seal. Take a little bit to break that," Namia said.
"Anything else?" Markus asked.
"Parents dead, guardian a civil servant in the Narsten government by the name of Albercht Reisen."
"Anything special?"
"No, not really."
"An interesting girl, you know? Very intense, the way she was looking about. I suspect she must have been surprised to find herself among so many like minded people."
"So does Pick watch her?"
Probably, carefully. Something about that girl..." He trailed off. "Best not to take chances."
"I'll tell him. Doctor Richardson's body was found about two hours ago."
"Longer than I thought."
"He pulled the locator beacon on his car."
"Smarter than I thought. What do the authorities think?"
"Still working on a lead."
"If they find all those files in that safe that will probably set them off, annoying all the professors on campus. We'll have to be careful, if they are looking carefully they might stumble on something. Be ready to run at any time."
"Will we have to give up?"
"I don't know. The murder will make lying low hard and if I can't openly wander around campus, well there isn't much point to me being here. They aren't going to like that. Certainly not good for my future prospects if we do have to scrub."
"Hopefully this girl might give you the leads you need to end this quickly."
"I can always hope."
"Perhaps we should change tactics, Master."
"Meaning?"
"Get more active."
"Grab anyone I suspect; work them over?"
"I think it might work."
"So do I, but if I grab the wrong people first and word gets out before I can find out what I need..." He shook his head. "I'll give it a couple more weeks before I try something like that. Still, maybe we should lay in a supply of some truth drugs and the like."
"Do you want me to get in touch with Pick and ask him?"
"No, I'll do it. I'll also have him put a tail on Elenoin Hashita."
Elenoin sat at her desk, flipping through one of her texts, looking for the section on Buster Launcher linkages. The more she learned the more she realized that the modern Mortarhead was a technological nightmare in many ways. Not so long ago she had believed that making a powerful design just involved a big engine, more armour and a powerful array of weapons. That was proving to be, in many respects, wrong. It was more a problem of balance, especially if one wanted to keep within a certain cost frame.
With unlimited funds it was easy to build a powerful design. Her first project had been just that, create a powerful, general purpose design. She had done it in two days, named it the "Hell Blast" and turned it in. Afterwards she found out that the Hell Blast was not all the different from anybody else's design. She had been rather disappointed.
Her latest project was to design a Mortarhead with a limited budget. Everyone in the class had drawn lots to decide how much they had to work with for their hypothetical design. She had been lucky and had one of the larger budgets.
The new and still unnamed Mortarhead was nearly finished, though she still wanted to put a Buster Launcher on it. Her main problem was that it would put her over budget unless she found a way to cut the cost of the weapon by at least a quarter.
She finally found the section she wanted and discovered it could not help her.
Sighing, she closed the book and leaned back in her chair. In one of her text books there was a very useful section about theoretical linkage designs that were cheaper, but she had no idea which one. A computer search was in order but she was too wasted to think about it.
Liesha was out on a date, which was too bad because Elenoin realized that she needed someone to take her out and have some fun. Pushing her chair back from her desk she got to her feet and stretched. A walk would do her some good.
She grabbed her jacket and left the room, locking the door behind her.
The dorm was quiet, most people being asleep, or still out for the night. She could hear the sound of the TV coming from the lounge and almost went that way, thinking that it would be nice to spend a little time with her dorm mates. She decided not to: she hoped that she might be able to get to Edward that night.
It had been two days since she had sat in on Professor Amatri's lecture. She had planned to see Edward soon after but had realized that she was being followed.
They were very good, but she had been lucky and picked them out. She had not tried too hard to shake them, they might put someone else on her and she wanted to know who was tailing her. She would see Edward this time, she was sure she could loose them, but was certain he would tell her not to come in person again. They would have to arrange some kind of drop.
Sticking to the shadows in the front lobby she took a look out the window. There were a lot of lights out there. She could see a small digg sitting close by, two shadowy figures in it: Team 1, as she had dubbed them.
Team 2 would be close by, on foot, maybe on bicycle. She took a pair of binoculars from her pocket and looked around the area, flipping on the lo-lite mode. She spotted the second team a hundred meters right of the people in the car. They were positioned so they could see the rear exit.
Not bad, Elenoin thought, folding up the binos and returning them to her pocket. They obviously did not know the dorm as well as they thought. Elenoin kept to the shadows and headed towards the stairs but took a hallway beside them instead.
At one time the dorm had had a strict curfew. Of course it had been broken but breaking it had required another way in and out of the building. Some enterprising residents had simply made one. A concealed door that opened up into a area overgrown with bushes.
It had been mostly forgotten but a few residents knew of it. Liesha knew, and she had shared the secret with Elenoin.
Getting clear of her followers was easy. Once she exited the building she remained hidden in the bushes, glad for the low wall that would help screen her IR pattern as long as she stayed close to the ground. She checked the area out with her binos again to be sure there was not a third team. Satisfied that she was not going to be seen, she moved out, keeping to the shadows.
It took her a long time to get to the house; she kept doubling back on her trail, stopping to lay in wait in case anyone was following her. By the time she reached the house she was certain she was clean. It was likely that they did not even know she was out of the dorm, unless they had someone in the dorm helping them.
She doubted that though. No one had been acting odd or had taken an unusual amount of interest in her. No, they obviously thought the two teams they had on her were enough.
Once she was in the house she was shown to an office while Edward was woken up. He came into the room looking tired and worn. She felt bad for taking away sleep he had obviously needed.
Sorry, she said.
Don t mention it, he waved her apology off. "So, what is it?"
"First thing is I'm being followed."
"Any idea who?"
"No."
"Why do you think they are following you?"
"Keep tabs on me. This doesn't have the feel of an assassination set up or anything."
"Okay, so you did lose them before coming here?"
"I'm pretty sure."
"Just in case I'll have Erdrak check the area out. Just a moment, he said as he got up. After a minute he came back in. "So, what else?"
"There is a professor on campus whose lectures are somewhat - inflammatory."
"You think he or she might have something to do with the recruiting?"
"I suspect he does."
"His name?"
"Markus Amatri, military history."
"I'll put a tail on him."
"Anything new on Machiko?"
"There is a rather large absence in her attendance records, but supposedly she was off skiing. Already checked and there is a record of her being at the hotel. Big place too, doubt they could tell me much about who was in that room."
"Not much help there."
"It makes it more likely. So, do you think we should put a tail on her now?"
"No, since I am close to her..."
"Good point. Why take the chance of spooking her."
"One more thing," she said hesitantly.
"What?"
"I'vecompromisedmycover," she said quickly.
"What?"
"I've compromised my cover."
"What?! Why?!"
"I had to be truthful with my therapist."
"Your therapist? What do you need a therapist for?!"
Elenoin took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. She did not want to say it, terrified of what Edward might think, might say. Doctor Crane had told her to just say it like she might say she had been mugged. She wished she could see it that way.
"A few months ago I was raped," Elenoin said, unable to look up and meet his eyes.
"Oh just fucking great," Edward got to his feet, slamming his hands down on his desk. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"
"What are you supposed to do?" Elenoin finally looked up at him.
"Dammit," he sat down heavily. "Okay, that sucks, and it's not your fault."
"What?"
"A friend of mine was sexually assaulted. Why didn't you tell Heldrick-sama about that?"
"It is not something I wanted to talk about."
"What if this mission requires you to sleep with someone; you up to that?"
Elenoin said nothing, just stared at him.
"That's what I thought. You are a liability to this mission."
"I'm sorry about that," Elenoin said angrily.
"Calm down little girl, he told her. "I'm speaking as commander of this mission. I'd rather be talking to you as a friend but I don't have that option."
"Don't do me any favours."
"Quiet," he snapped. "What I should do is scrub this mission, but we are finally getting somewhere so I am going to take a chance that you can perform. Now who is this Doctor?"
"I got a referral for her, she won't say anything."
"That will be for me to decide. What's her name?"
"Lillith Crane."
"Okay, no more meetings for us. Stay here for a couple of hours, we'll arrange for information drops."
Understood, Elenoin nodded.
Edward got to his feet and walked to the door, he stopped and turned. "If you need someone to talk to..."
"Thanks," she said quietly.
Edward nodded, then turned and left.
Elenoin sat in the office for several minutes, wondering why it had been so hard to say it. It had not been her fault after all. She had to make herself believe it.
Getting up she exited the room and walked up the stairs. Sif was waiting for her just outside her room.
Hello, Elenoin said.
Good evening Master."
"How are you?" Elenoin said as she entered the room.
"I'm fine. Sif followed Elenoin in.
"Are you being treated well?"
"Everyone here is treating me fine."
"They had better. Elenoin smiled. She dropped onto the bed.
"You look tired," Sif said, sitting beside Elenoin.
"I feel a little tired. Elenoin smiled. "But I'm fine."
Sif said nothing else but moved behind Elenoin and began to give her shoulders a gentle rubbing.
Elenoin hoped everything would be over soon because she would not be able to handle being separated from Sif.
Machiko was breathing hard, her head hurt, her muscles ached, and she could not find the smallest opening in her opponent's defence. Kievar moved about the dojo easily, more agile than one would have thought for such a big man. He swung his huge, two-handed blade with ease. Machiko hated him.
"Move," he snapped, coming right at her, the huge blade describing a wide arc.
She managed not to freeze, though sometimes she still got scared, and moved to the side quickly, bringing her sword up because that huge blade could change direction so fast. She was glad she had when the two swords met. She stumbled back from the blow, her hands throbbing from the impact.
"Too slow," he yelled, coming at her again.
Machiko gave up ground as she blocked the flurry of sword blows, moving steadily backwards, waiting for her chance.
It came fast. Kievar over extended himself ever so slightly. She slammed her blade onto his, putting all her remaining strength in the blow, forcing it down. Then she stepped on it, entrapping it.
Kievar gave up on the weapon. Machiko's blade was still low, she was not able to get it up fast enough. He punched her, his huge fist slamming into her solar plexus, sending her stumbling back.
Machiko hit the floor, her eyes gone blurry, the breath gone from her lungs. She lay there, trying to gulp down air, looking like a fish out of water. Only distantly did she feel Kievar's sword tip touch her on the back of her neck, then it was gone.
It took her almost a minute before she could sit up. She hurt and she knew it would get worse as she cooled down.
Across the room Kievar was leaning up against a wall, looking at her.
"You are worthless, you know," he said.
"I'm sorry," she apologized between clenched teeth, hating the man even more. Hating headliners even more.
"Yes, you are," he said. "Pick up your sword and go. See one of the doctors first, you'll probably need a pain killer or several." His tone was just condescending enough to push her anger and hate up more. "I don't want to see you again for a few days, I don't need the disappointment."
"Yes," she said, looking down.
"Yes what?"
"Yes sensei," she told him, getting to her feet.
"You are not accepting the modifications, that is what is holding you back," he called out as she left.
Machiko said nothing as she left the dojo, bowing before exiting.
Kievar watched her leave and smiled.
He had not thought much of the training program he had been told to follow at first, but he had come to appreciate it. Telling them they had to accept the modifications, it was telling them to accept that they were a weapon, a killer. None of them realized it, they just wanted to best him.
Of course a few went over the edge, had truly tried to kill him. It was the reason that he never fought any of them at his full ability.
When next he saw Machiko he would let her do a little better, perhaps even let her drive him back for a short time.
In a month, maybe a little longer, he would be finished with her training. After that she would be pointed at whatever target was chosen and most likely kill him or her, unless she tried to make it a fair fight. He doubted it though. None on the candidates thought much of headliners. That was why they had been chosen.
He walked across the room and put his blade in the sword rack, then he took off his sweat soaked shirt and headed from the dojo.
Calri, his fatima, met him outside the shower room.
She was a pretty little thing: her black hair short, her eyes behind the shields a warm brown. The dark blue memory crystal was placed above her left ear. Her former master had been a knight of no importance from Philmore. Kievar had killed him. He had been surprised when the knight's fatima had chosen him as her new master, but not disappointed. Calri had saved his life several times in the past and he did not doubt she would do so again.
"Come on," he smiled, pulling her along with him into the shower room.
Kievar walked into his room, a towel wrapped around him. He carried Calri, who also had a towel around her. They were both laughing softly. Kievar stopped suddenly when he saw Vallam sitting on his bed.
The other headliner was a pretty man, too pretty really. He had an androgynous quality about him He could easily push that quality, looking very female.
His brown hair was long; his blue eyes were framed by long lashes; his features delicate.
Vallam frowned slightly. Kievar guessed it was because of Calri. The other headliner kept his Fatima hidden for the most part. Kievar thought it was because the fatimas were prettier than Vallam was.
While he doubted that Vallam was homosexual, he knew the man liked playing games: using his looks, messing with people's heads. The fatimas took attention away from him.
"Vallam-san, how are you? he asked as he dropped Calri onto the bed beside Vallam. She let out a little shriek of surprise.
Vallam got up from the bed. "I thought I should tell you that I killed Doctor Richardson a few days ago, just in case you had not been informed."
"Who's Doctor Richardson?"
"No one important. It is probably best that he is gone."
"Any problems?" Kievar sat down beside Calri.
"Who knows? We should be careful, we might have to close down operations in short order. Richardson said the man who came to him had a spaud."
"That doesn't necessarily mean anything."
"True, but why assume the best?"
"I'll inform my people of it."
"Good. How is the training going?"
"Well enough. I'll start on the new one in a week or two, once he has adjusted a little better."
Vallam nodded. "I'll leave you now," he said, walking towards the door.
"Do feel free to drop by again."
"Perhaps. he left the room.
"Now," Kievar said, pulling the towel off Calri, "Where were we?"
Vallam wandered the halls of the large villa they had set up in. He was in charge of security and had done an admirable job. There was little for him to do now and he was bored.
He considered going into town, playing his little games, having a little fun, but lately it had become a bit of a bore. At nearly one hundred and fifty it seemed he was finally growing up. He did not care much for it, maturity, it seemed rather depressing.
Or maybe he needed a new thrill, something just a little more dangerous.
Unfortunately he could not indulge in such desires, he had his job to think about. That was it in the end, the job. It kept him from doing as he wished.
He walked out into the neglected garden, it was important that the building look uninviting and not lived in, and strolled along the overgrown paths.
After several minutes he took a seat on a convenient stone and removed a data reader from a jacket pocket. There were a lot of things going on in Merilein, he was certain that the connection had been made between their cyberchem killers and the University. They had known it was only a matter of time since they began.
He looked through a list of new people that had come to the University. He had already taken the majority of the students off the list, too many of them. He kept the few newer ones whose entrance had been in anyway odd. Still a large number but manageable.
New professors and other staff were another possibility, more names. He had given up thoughts of checking their records and just listened to the talk around the University. Professor Amatri was an interesting case. The way he lectured, he might as well be working for them. A useful position if he was looking.
He had recently ordered the professor followed only to find there was another team on him. That was bad news in a way, but also good. If someone after them was going after a useless lead, so much the better. He had canceled the surveillance, deciding that the chance of discovery was too high.
Closing up the data reader he pushed it back into his pocket and leaned back on the rock.
It was time he sent a full report to his employers. Hopefully they would close down the project and let him go. He could always hope.
Elenoin yawned, the words on the page going blurry. It had been several days since she had last visited Edward and Sif. She had yet to be contacted, not that she had any useful information. She had spent some time with Machiko; it had even been fun, but nothing new had come of it. She wondered if she had been right in suspecting the girl.
She singled the waitress for another cup of coffee and turned back to her book.
There was a test tomorrow, her Mortarhead design was due, she had a lot of work ahead of her. No sleep that night.
"This seat taken? someone asked.
She looked up, about to tell whoever it was that she was busy when she recognized the man standing by her table. Morrin Salk, one of Edward's people. He was a handsome young man, tall, with short black hair, and dark brown eyes. His hair was currently under a bandanna and his clothing was the beat up leather look that was popular on campus.
"Free country," she said, turning her attention back to the book.
"Come here often?"
"Not anymore I think."
He laughed. "You re cute. The waitress came by with her coffee. "Same for me," he told her. "So, what's your name?" he asked.
"Is it any of your business?"
"You could give frost bite you know?" He smiled. "I just want to know your name, not the colour of your panties, but I am hopeful on that."
Elenoin laughed, though she tired to hide it by drinking her coffee, which almost ended up in her shooting it from her nostrils. "Elenoin," she said after a moment.
"Morrin. Now was that so hard?"
"While I would hate to deprive myself of your company I do have a test to study for," she told him.
"I tired that once," he said.
"Studying?"
"No, taking a test. Its a lot harder to get a good nap in the lecture halls that way. There is this cloud of worry and stress just hanging over the room, I just can't relax in such an environment."
I feel for you, Elenoin said. The waitress came by with his coffee.
"Glad you appreciated the struggles I have to go through."
"Why are you picking on me?"
"I want you."
"And if I don't want you?"
"Oh, I would die if you did not want me. My heart would be terminally broken and I would wither and fade."
"I'll send flowers to the funeral."
"Cruel. He drank from his cup.
"I'm sure there are other girls that would appreciate your company."
"It is the middle of the night, they are all in bed. Which I might add is a good idea on their part."
"I'm not interested," Elenoin took another drink of her coffee and looked back at her book.
"Liar. He reached forward suddenly, Elenoin had to force herself from bolting, and made a grasping motion by her ear, his fingers gently touching the lobe. "Why are you hiding this in your ear?" he held a foil wrapped condom.
"Do you do card tricks to?"
"Only on the second date."
"Good thing I hate card tricks then."
"Ouch."
"Please Morrin, I am trying to study."
"Well I can take a hint," he finished his coffee.
Could have fooled me.
"Here. He tossed the condom in front of her. "In case you get lonely."
"Keep it," Elenoin flicked it back at him. He caught it and made it disappear. She looked at him for a moment and the said, You know in small doses you can be sort of charming."
"Does that mean I might have a chance?"
"No, this wasn't a small dose."
"Again, ouch. Take care Elenoin. He smiled then turned and left.
Elenoin watched him go and smiled, then shook her head. The motion made her acutely aware of the small chip that he had planted just behind her ear. A good way to transfer data. She could check it out later, now she really did have to study, it was part of her cover.
Markus walked along the dark streets of the campus. He had not been able to sleep, he had an abundance of nervous energy. He was not sure why, but it would not let him rest. The long walk would do him good, and it kept the people following him busy, gave him a chance to check them out. They were pretty good, but he knew he could loose them if he had to.
He had picked up the tail a few days before, really annoying. It made going anywhere with Namia virtually impossible. Still, it might be a good sign. He had asked Pick to try to put a counter tail on his followers. He might learn something that way.
The bright windows of one of the few all night cafes seemed to welcome him. He felt like taking a little break, maybe arrange things so that he might innocently loose the people following him. It would be useful to see how they reacted.
There were few people in the cafe, mostly students, mostly studying, a few people who had the look of those that had partied too hard. Standard crowd.
He was going to take a window seat when she saw Elenoin Hashita sitting at one of the back tables. He knew he should ignore her, he had people trailing her, but he thought he might be able to get something useful from her. And, he admitted to himself, she was very pretty.
Of course everyone in the room would assume he was trying to pick her up. Since she was not in any of his classes, and not likely to be, there were no real rules against him trying to do so. His department heads might frown on that but that was all they would do.
It might also help to quash the rumours floating about the campus that he was more interested in men. It was not that he was bothered by the rumour but it had not decreased the women who tried to pick him up. In fact he thought there might be more, now he was some sort of challenge. And a few men had joined the women.
A rumour that he was trying to pick up a certain young woman might make his life easier.
He walked over to her. "Is this seat taken?"
Elenoin looked up, wondering if that opening line was being sold on campus or something and found herself staring up into Professor Amatri. "No," she said, returning her eyes to the page in front of her.
"I'm Markus Amatri," he told her.
"I know, I sat in on one of you lectures. She decided to take a chance. "It was very interesting."
"I try to make them that way. He smiled. "So, what is keeping you up so late?" He reached for her book, waited until he got a nod from her then took it. "'Bio-Mechanical Stress Points', by Ladious Soop," he read out loud. "What does that mean?"
"It covers the problems one encounters when they try to connect the biological part of a Mortarhead with the mechanical part," she explained.
"Mortarhead construction? He handed the book back to her and decided to take a chance. "Looking forward to working with Knights?"
Elenoin wondered if that would be an opening for recruitment. "Perhaps I want to find away to build them so cheap that they are no longer the providence of Knights."
"An interesting thought," Markus said. She was definitely a promising one.
"Maybe only a pipe dream."
"I think you should pursue it," he told her.
"Do you really?" she asked. He certainly was promising.
"Always worth trying the impossible and hard to do," he told her, smiling.
They talked for nearly an hour, mostly small talk, half the time she suspected that the man was trying to pick her up. Maybe he was. She remembered what Edward had said about maybe having to sleep with someone on the mission. It made her feel uncomfortable.
Markus began to sense the girl's unease and decided that it was time for him to excuse himself.
"If you will excuse me Miss,..." he trailed off as he got to his feet.
"Hashita," she told him.
"Good evening Miss Hashita," he said then turned and walked from the cafe.
Elenoin watched him go then turned her attention back to the book with a sigh. She really still had a lot of studying to do.
Damos stumbled out of the bar, more than a little drunk. Takua was inside, paying the bill. Damos walked to a lamp post and leaned against it, taking deep breaths. He was going to have to skip all his morning classes for sure. He might end up blowing the semester if he was not careful. His father would not be happy.
Looking up he noticed a student, out for a late night walk, carrying books. She must have been studying, he thought. Nice to see someone could. There was something familiar about her, the way she moved. That night at the hollow, that girl, the one who had picked his fighting style apart. He had been told it before but by weapon masters, other headliners, he was used to it from them. That some no-one saw it was unbearable.
He pushed himself away from the lamp post and started to walk after her. The night air had cleared his head somewhat and his walk was steadier than it had been.
He began to run as he got closer, reached out, grabbed her shoulder, spun her around to face him, almost fell into her.
Elenoin had heard someone coming up behind her but the campus was safe, remarkably so and she had only been a little worried.
As soon as she was grabbed that changed but her attacker was strong and had spun her around, disorientating her a little, making her drop her books. A moment before she was about to slam her knee up with enough force to break bones she saw it was Damos and checked herself. The move cost her some balance and he was pushing at her slightly. Both added up to force her back against the wall behind her.
"I want to talk to you," he said, his words a little slurred. She could smell the alcohol on his breath and was suddenly afraid, afraid of what he might do.
"I have to get back to my dorm," she told him, hoping he might let her go.
"Where did you learn so much about fighting? What gives you the right to say my style is bad. he pushed her but as she was up against the wall it was more of a hit.
"I'm sorry," Elenoin tried.
"Just saying stuff like that. He shook his head. "I could have killed you, cut you up and yet you say I'm a bad fighter."
"I just want to go," she told him, beginning to feel a little sick.
"Pretty girl like you, why don't you like me much, why so mean?" he asked, leaning close to her. She thought he might be about to kiss her, or worse.
"Please...," she began to say when suddenly Damos stumbled back from her, like he had been hit though the opposite was true.
"Sorry about that," Takua said, holding a dangling Damos up by the collar of his shirt. "He usually doesn't get so bad but his father...," Takua shrugged his shoulders. "Well, sorry."
"No harm done," Elenoin said, realizing how fast her heart had been beating by the fact it was slowing down..
"No, Damos can be a real idiot, he had no excuse to accost you."
"Stop talking about me like I wasn't here," Damos managed to get to his feet. "Why are you protecting her?"
"Because you are an idiot when you drink."
"Some friend you are."
"I'm your best friend, and when you sober up you will remember that, come on. He started dragging Damos down the street. "Again, I'm really sorry, he called back to Elenoin.
Elenoin watched them go off, finally relaxing. She was glad that Takua had come by; she had been about to kill Damos.
"Are you all right?" someone asked.
"What? Elenoin turned to find herself facing three young people, students more than likely. "I'm fine."
"Can you believe that Niavol, what an arrogant bastard," a young woman said.
"At least Takua was around," the other woman said.
"Are you sure you all right?" the young man asked.
"Yes, I just got a little scared. I have to be going, thank you for your concern," Elenoin said, gathering up her books then heading off.
As she walked down the road she heard them talking about what had happened and wondered what stories would be going around about her next. She had already gained a little fame from her first meeting with Damos.
She hoped it would not cause problems.
BREAKBREAKBREAK Elenoin's dorm room was empty when she got back, Liesha's latest love had progressed.
She put her books on her bed then reached up to take the data chip from behind her ear. The adhesive made it slightly painful and she pulled a few strands of hair free. After cleaning it off she put it into a data reader and began looking through the information.
A little more about Machiko, nothing really useful. She had lost her mother in one of the many wars, but that was nothing new, lots of people had lost parents.
There was not much more information on Markus. He had gotten his Ph.D. in Military history at the University of Hasuha, worked there a few years as an assistant lecturer and then had got the job at Merilein recently.
Nothing really there, nothing of real use.
She pulled the chip free and wiped the memory of the reader.
After she snapped the chip in two she crawled under her covers and was asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillows.
"So what was this problem with Damos I heard about? Osamu asked Elenoin as they walked along the garden paths.
"He was drunk, and stupid, no harm done."
"Glad to hear that. So, what has you looking so happy?"
"My prof loved my design," she told him.
"The MH?"
"He said it was innovative and well designed and in fifty years when the technology reaches the place where several of my texts promised it would be he said I should definitely look to get it built."
"Wait a minute, you were using tech that doesn't exist?"
"Why not, from design to actually being built is about, well, twenty years usually so why not use things that are promised."
"Seems a little like cheating."
"It is, but as it turns out it is cheating that is allowed."
"Well, as long as you are doing well."
"A lot better than I expected," she said softly.
What?
"Nothing, she told him. "So, how about you?"
"My faculty advisor wants to know how I do so well without attending my classes."
"Does he think you are cheating or something?"
"I doubt it, but I think he is worried that my luck might run out."
"Do you think it will?"
"I would if I thought it was luck. I am a genius."
"And so modest. Elenoin smiled.
"Don't I just have it all going for me?"
Modest and arrogant is a good trick. She laughed.
"The slight imperfections just make my perfection shine all that brighter. So, where do you want to go to dinner?"
"You pick, I'll pay."
"Very generous of you."
"I get a big allowance."
Must be nice.
Damn right! BREAKBREAKBREAK Elenoin said good bye to Osamu in front of his dorm and headed back to her own. He might skip most of his lectures but he never cut out on tests and he had several the next day. Elenoin just wanted to go to her room and sleep for a few days.
She saw Machiko sitting on one of the benches just outside her dorm.
Evening, Elenoin called out.
"Elenoin, we have to talk."
"What?"
"In private."
"Okay, my room is as good as any," she said.
Machiko followed Elenoin up to her room, saying nothing the whole time.
"I heard that Damos attacked you last night," she said as soon as they were in Elenoin's room, the door closed.
"Not really, he was kind of drunk, and well, nothing happened."
"You were lucky."
"Good thing Takua was there," she said.
"All he cared about was his reputation."
"Maybe. Elenoin took a seat on her bed.
"Were you scared?"
"I guess."
"I would have been scared. Machiko sat down on the bed beside Elenoin. "I would have, in the past. I could just see it, he had you there, helpless, only thinking about himself, no thoughts to how you might be feeling, you did not really matter to him I bet. The arrogant bastard."
Elenoin nodded but she was not thinking about Damos anymore. He thoughts were filled with another man.
"And who knows what he might have done to you, what he was thinking of?"
"Yes," Elenoin said softly. "Who knew?"
"And what could you have done to defend yourself from him?"
"Not much," Elenoin's voice still soft, lost in memory.
That fucking bastard. Machiko shook her head in disgust and slammed her fist against the bed frame. The bed actually jerked with with the motion. "Would you like to kill him, see him dead, by your own hand?"
"Yes," Elenoin said, but she had not really heard the question Machiko asked.
"I can help you. Machiko surprised Elenoin by grasping both her hands in hers. "If you want the strength to kill the likes of him. I can help you get it."
Elenoin stared at Machiko for a moment, wandering what she was talking about when she suddenly realized she had finally got what she had come there for. A solid lead.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you want the strength the fight back?"
"I guess."
"No! Do you want it? Do you want it so bad that the thought of not having it hurts, do you want to inflict pain for pain?"
Elenoin said nothing for several moments then nodded. "Yes."
"Come on then. Machiko pulled Elenoin to her feet.
"Where are we going?"
"To make a deal with a devil. Machiko smiled, but there was something odd in it, not quite sane.
Elenoin realized that Machiko was not acting her old self, something had changed. She was not sure what it was, but it scared her a little.
"Come on. Machiko let go of Elenoin's hands and headed out of the room. Elenoin followed.
Machiko had a digg parked in one of the campus lots. It was a sporty little model-it looked fast. In a few minutes they had left the built up area behind and were heading into the mountains. They had lost Elenoin's tail in a few minutes, more by luck then any attempt on Machiko's part. She suspected the woman had not known they were being followed.
They drove for nearly half an hour, Machiko taking the dangerous curves at speed, her reflexes incredibly good. Too good, Elenoin thought. It was through those curves that they lost the second group following them. Elenoin wondered who might have put a tail on Machiko. Again, Machiko seemed not to notice.
Their destination was an old mountain villa that looked deserted. Elenoin had noted a number of the places on their way up. Hunting lodges and the like, get away spots for the rich. For all she knew she might own property up there herself.
"This is it," Machiko said, eyes glittering in the small light from the dashboard. She looked like she was fevered. "This is it."
She led Elenoin up to the front doors and pulled them open. Elenoin looked in on a dirty entry foyer, dark as the rest of the house. Machiko pushed Elenoin in then closed the door behind her. With the door closed Elenoin noticed that there was some light coming from somewhere, just enough so she could see the shapes around her.
Machiko walked across the foyer to another door and did something that Elenoin could not see. Suddenly there was a patch of green light by the door and Elenoin could see the illuminated keys of a keypad. Machiko tapped in a code and the doors opened, letting in bright, white light.
Elenoin followed Machiko through the doors which closed behind them.
The interior was well maintained, it was obvious the outside was only a facade. There were two men with rifles standing close by.
"I want to see Madrin-Hakase," Machiko told the guard.
"Who is she?"
"A new candidate," Machiko said.
The guards looked at each other, Elenoin could tell that what had just happened was new to them. They weren't happy. Machiko seemed blind to it.
"Just a moment. one of the guards reached for a phone. Elenoin could not hear much of the hushed conversation.
"Madrin-Hakase will be down in a moment," the guard told them.
"Why can't we go to his office?"
"He asked that you wait for him here."
Machiko did not seemed impressed by that but she did not seem alarmed. Elenoin was. She realized that Machiko had just breached security, even if she did not. That could be very bad.
After a few minutes two men came out of one of the doors near the end of the hall, walking towards them. One was huge, a giant, Elenoin thought. The other of average ehgiht, with short, fair hair.
"What is this Machiko-kun? the man with blonde hair asked as he and his companion stopped several meters from them. Machiko walked towards them, Elenoin had no choice but to follow though it put the guards behind them, something she did not like.
"A new recruit Madrin-Hakase," she said. "Elenoin Hashita. She hates headliners. She shot a look at the larger man.
"I see," the doctor said softly.
"Did you check her back ground?" the big man asked. "What do you know about her?"
"I know enough. She's like me!"
"I don't think she is nearly as stupid," he said, noting Elenoin's unease.
"She hates headliners!"
"Perhaps, but we can't use her, not without a proper background check. And she has seen too much."
That told Elenoin the decision that had been made. She began to turn when she felt to stings in her side and a jolt as electricity poured through her. It was not enough to stun her but she dropped to the floor. It was best to let them thinks she was harmless.
"Elenoin!" Machiko shouted then leapt a the big man. He slapped her down.
"You brought someone without clearance here. Now I have to have her killed.
"You bastard! Machiko shouted and jumped at him again. He hit her hard, knocking her to the ground. She did not get up, clutching her hands tight around her stomach.
"Make sure she is all right," he told Madrin.
"What about that girl? He pointed at Elenoin.
"We'll dispose of her. Take her," he told the guards. "Dump her away from the villa, make sure it looks like and accident."
He watched as they picked up Elenoin and carried her out the door. Then he walked over to Machiko and knelt down.
"Your friend will die because you did not follow orders. Remember that in the future," he said, then got to his feet and walked away.
Machiko managed to get to her hands and knees and stared after him.
If looks could kill, Madrin thought.