Mmm, I hadn't realized I'd left that as a cliff hanger- oh well I think they all end in that form. hee hee. As for ages- well let's see - All of the G-boys with the exception of Wufei are fifteen/sixteen. Wufei is around twenty or so. Heero and Trowa will be showing up soon, it's just going to take a little time. Odin Lowe is actually Odin Lowe (although for how long I'm not sure- in the original story line Commander Roth (Odin) dies and a younger member takes over -planning on it being Heero maybe, but it's actually Mark (Duo) in the original. References in language at the bottom.
OOOO
SHOR \/\/ SIX
Duo had to bypass the main building, using instead the emergency stairs which were un-guarded only because they had been hit during the attack. Two levels down the whole outer wall was gone and the structure became unstable. Taking great care to avoid falling through the gaping holes, he grabbed on to what was left of the guide rail and vaulted down to the next level. It was slow climbing from there, the steps swung free in many places and he could hear the walls groan with each sweep of the wind. On the last level, he was pleased to find that the stairs were intact and the face of the building still stood, albeit weakly. Stepping out of the cover of the building, he moved toward the broken tarmac and his goal- the lone vistar hidden there.
On the ground a thin layer of real sunlight was just moving over the horizon. It was hard to believe that the dials had passed so quickly and a new dehil was dawning. The moment he stepped onto the open tarmac a stiff chilly breeze pulled at his torn tunic making him gasp. He'd never felt the cold before and the chilly air only served to remind him of the total destruction their enemy had wrought.
It took most of his control not to stop and stare up at the exposed sky, turning colors in the break of morn. No Teirsan before this had ever seen a true sky over a city before, they all were covered in domes to protect and serve the inhabitants within. They had been built so many genernes ago that no one was certain as to why they were formed since the world outside them was not polluted or poisoned in any way. Some thought it was so they could control the climate better, but Duo didn't agree with that. Something had made his ancestors cover their cities, hiding them from those above and while no one now knew. It was somewhere in a lost writ, a tome yet undiscovered, the truth behind this deception.
Moving with stealth, Duo let the shadows hide him as he made his way toward the lone vistar. It had been placed in mid-field, hidden among the bulky bodies of the shuttles and ground transports. Patrols had been set up, not only to secure the ships but to watch for the Sadow. They virtually ignored the secured ships in the yard, knowing that no one would take them without authorization. To do so meant death, no matter the reason and Duo knew this. He had little doubt that when the sun was high the shuttles would lift off in search of more survivors, but for now they would remain silent and cold. This would be his only chance.
Sneaking around the shuttles were easy, the guards remained focused on the perimeter, their path unwavering. Taking a deep breath, he made a quick dash to the vistar and froze, his senses telling him that he had gone unnoticed. Reaching out an unsteady hand, he reverently touched the nose of the sleek machine. Droplets of dew burned cold into his warm skin as he moved his hand along the silky skin of the craft. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, a true piece of engineering art, and he'd always longed to fly one.
Vistars were built for speed and maneuverability. They were sleek crafts with thin cylindrical bodies; their wings beginning in the body's center and tapering back to make the ship look like a giant arrow. The engines were a tri-cluster resting in the rear of the craft. Smaller thrusters built into sections of the collapsible wings gave the craft it's ability to make tight turns without losing speed; speeds only dreamed of on land. Laser sights built into the nose and sensors placed alone the entire body structure made the craft virtually impossible to sneak up on. It was a machine built to ride the ribbons of space and designed for battle.
This particular one was white with a long thing red stripe running down the length of it's body. On the tail section's high fin rested a sun-star design, the representation of the squadron to which it belonged and the Starfighter where it was housed. The name of the pilot was written along the seal as well as the kill number. On the canopy, itself, were embossed miniatures of the Alliance and Teirsan flags.
Touching the canopy sensor, Duo was surprised to find it unlocked. It opened with a gentle whoosh, loud in the stillness of the morning and enough to make him look around to insure that it had not been heard. When nothing changed, he lifted the housing and quickly climbed inside, shutting the canopy softly behind him. He placed his hand on the inner security activation panel and held his breath. There was no turning back now.
RDA scans made the securing of the canopy almost redundant, for without the pilot's programmed RDA the computer would remain silent; the vistar's engines dead. In normal circumstances it was impossible to over-ride the RDA since it was unique to the single individual, but Duo was not normal and was quite familiar with this system. While his RDA could not be altered, he could overload the system and re-program the computer. Placing his right hand flat on the dark panel, he sent a light surge of energy into it. There was a spark, the computer blinked, and then it spoke in acceptance.
'RDA accepted. Vistars systems activated.'
The computer's voice, though unemotional and level, was loud in the quiet of the cockpit. Softly feminine, it was meant to be a calming, soothing, presence in the darkness of space generating trust and alleviating loneliness.
"Computer, activate flight controls and begin launch prep." Duo ignored the computer's compliance as he pulled on the safety harness and placed the flight helmet on his head. Checking the weapons array, he took a deep breath and began to punch up the path of ascent.
Simulators and design specs were not the same as the real thing. The hum of the engines and the electronic warmth of the computer could not be simulated, nor could the low throb that coursed through the sleek craft giving it and it's pilot life. It was like being inside a living thing. He longed to take a moment to savor the feel of the craft around him but there was no time for such frivolity.
Duo made quick work of the check list and pre-flight programming. With a final look around, he ordered the engines raised and placed his feet firmly on the runners. Taking the controls in each hand, he pushed the code to activate helmet controls and eased the throttle up. A silent prayer to the Father rose in his mind as the craft began to slowly move clear of his nesting place.
The shield slid down in front of his eyes and the read-out activated. Weapons, engines, and flight data rested in a grid near the corner of his right eye, while the grid near his left eye was the rayar and sensor data.
"Computer, commence launch sequence."
'Launch in fein. . .'
Duo arched the engines and listened as the hum grew louder. The sleek craft broke free of the line of parked ships and moved toward the open tarmac.
"Scanners to ratio."
'quor'
"Safety locked."
'dec'
"Engines primed to max launch thrust."
'meich'
"Weapons active."
'ish'
Duo could see the brilliance of the new dehil as the vistar rocked to the edge of the tarmac.
"Thruster control activate"
'zoe'
"Launch."
Duo pulled the controls toward him and braced himself. The pressure locked him against the seat as the vistar shot up the tattered tube and into the sky. In a matter of mirax, he was in the upper troposphere and breaking through the thin blue line into the dark. The city of his birth a mere spec on the planet behind him. His path now clearly set.
(O)(O)(O)(O)
Ahl Boren knew the moment their young protector had left the room. He also knew the moment Fermeldon became aware that the youth was no longer with them. Sometimes his Serrian abilities were a curse, but he was glad he was the only of his kind in the room. As he exchanged a quick knowing glance with Fermeldon he understood two things. First, that the older Councilmon was not about to alert the others and second, that they were united in backing whatever actions their Protector decided to take.
Fermeldon stepped up behind the pilot and placed a hand on his shoulder. Neither looked at the other as he spoke softly, "The Council has sanctioned."
Derris acknowledge it with a small nod; knowing better than to question whatever was behind the cryptic words. He was sure that he would find out and before he could even begin to speculate a young guardsman rushed into the room. The boy was nervous and sweating as he quickly informed Commander Uroff that a ship had launched without permission.
The control tower came alive with action as the crew tried to figure out which ship and why it would leave without authorization. It took several triax for them to realize that it was the vistar that had been taken and several more to realize the pilot was not Derris Rehn. Guards were questioned, com signals were sent, and Patrol Commander Uroff sweated while the Alliance Council gathered at the windows to observe the fading vapor trail.
Derris Rehn let the crew handle the stress while he moved back to the maps. He was just about positive he knew who had taken his ship and was not inclined to share his suspicions. The young cadet had courage and obvious skill, it would be interesting to see how far those traits took him. Besides the Council had sanctioned.
OOOOOOO
The vistar hit open space with barely a tug as it left the planet's gravity. Once beyond the planet, the darkness seemed to open up and welcome it's new visitor allowing the night to fade into a more comforting shadow. For Duo it was like stepping into a warm room, dimly lit but none-the-less welcoming. Unfurling his senses to check his heading, he could not hold back the gasp of surprise. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before.
What was a vacuum to most was filled with life for him. What was a dark recess was suddenly filled with light and color. What was a silent void was now awash with sounds the likes of which he'd never heard before. There was more than a freedom in the sensations that passed through his body; more than an awakening. The openness of space held no restrictions on his abilities. There were no voices to stop him, no people to give him pain or pause, no barriers to deter him, here only his body kept him grounded. It was like being re-born. . . a New Born.
In the past he'd never understood why they called him that, why that term. The Nahjet were feared and hated and often times killed before knowing themselves. Had the ancestors known that beyond their world their abilities would blossom and bring forth a new understanding? Did they fear them even as they heralded their next evolutionary step?
It was no wonder that his ancestors had been so enthralled by the lights they saw in the dark sky. They had not known how to reach them, so they had given them names, given them stories, given them myths, all in the hopes of understanding the lights that looked down upon them. When the Teronians had arrived the myths changed and the Teirsan people realized that each light represented a planet which may hold life. The stories that were told around the fires were now about life on those worlds and the languages they may speak. That change had fueled the Teirsan's desire to know more.
Now as he floated slowly toward the Teron belt, he came to understand why the ancient Teirsans had strived so hard to reach out beyond the confines of their world. It had been born within them with each new Nahjet adding to the call. Once the Teronians had been integrated into the tribes it was only a matter of time before the highly adaptable, quick to learn Teirsan people embraced the ideals of life beyond their own. Seeking out the technologies which would enable them to speak and touch that life they tried to reach for the lights. In what should have taken several genernes beyond them, they reached out and grasped the technology that would let them do this. Thus it was sooner than any would have thought, they were soaring above and beyond the clouds themselves. How exciting it must have been for the first Teirsan to escape the bonds of their home world and see the stars without having to wait for darkness to fall.
Now here he was with all of it within his own reach. Experiencing for the first time what it felt like, truly felt like, to be free. It was all there for him to touch, to sense, to become part of and for a triac he was afraid. Afraid of losing himself among the stars that had kept his ancestors so enthralled and the Nahjets so feared.
"Hey, Derris!"
He'd been so lost in the sensations that Duo had failed to notice the vistar squadron that came up from the moon's dark side. Pulling himself together, he make quick work of punching in the numbers that would take him inside the belt and away from the planet. He could not afford to be stopped now, not this close.
"Derris, I thought you had orders to remain planet side with the Council?"
Duo continued com silence, ignoring the seven vistars drifting into an orbital recon around the planet. When the computer bleeped and began to guide the vistar into the dense belt, he breathed a sigh of relief. He could have done the flying manually, but chose not to it call attention to himself. Unlike the normal vistar pilot, his senses would allow him to anticipate the nols movements, giving him a more accurate guide than any computer. In fact, the program used by the computer was based on tests the Facilitators had done on him. It was an anticipatory program he'd written later to enhance the parameters of the original program that pushed the accuracy close to his own. There was no other program like it, the ships using it could navigate the belt at any speed they chose without fear of even the smallest nol getting through. It was one of the few good things that had come from his confinement.
(O)(O)
As Satray Ish vanished into the dense Teron belt the rest of the squad was at a loss.
"Hey Jaxon, what's up with Derris? Think he got some new orders?"
Jaxon, the pilot Satray meich, ignored Bane's question and began the calculations to enter the belt.
"Satray squad punch up co-ordinates to enter the belt. Com-share to warp and begin tracking on Satray leader."
"All right!" "Lock it bags!" "Lite the fuse!"
Jaxon ignored the cheers of the other pilots. Unlike Korber, Mangus, and Mikels, he was a more experienced pilot, had seen a lot of battle and did not feel jubilant at the prospect of flying through the belt. He knew something big was about to happen, he could feel it. The silence from their leader's ship was enough to make his skin prickle in anticipation.
(O)(O)(O)
As the rayar struck the edge of the belt, Duo keyed up the computer controls.
"Computer calculate engine to warp sekch mirax after clear." The computer blinked an acceptance to the order while Duo prepared for the change in speed.
'Vistar squadron incoming.'
Duo checked his rayar and saw the seven trans signals of the approaching squadron. Wary of their persistence he opted to continue com silence and pushed for a little more speed.
"Derris, what in helios is going on?!" Jaxon had to force himself not to shout as the lead vistar began to pull away. Derris had not responded and with a sudden drop in planetary communications they had no way to know what his new orders were.
'countdown commencing'
With a sigh, Duo closed his eyes bracing himself as he punched in the target co-ordinates.
"What the. . .?!"
The pilots of Satray squadron stared in shock as the engines of the lead ship flared before jumping to warp and disappearing from sight.
"Do you think maybe he got orders from the Council?" Dwyer attempted to come up with a plausible explanation as to why Derris refused to speak.
Jaxon frowned and began an active rayar sweep as soon as he cleared the belt.
"What're we gonna do?" Banes really hoped they'd decide to go after Rehn. "We're suppose to be on orbital patrol."
Jaxon knew what they were ordered to do and he knew what they had to do. While the two contradicted each other his first instinct was to follow his commander and instinct had always served him well. While they may not know what Derris was up to or had been ordered to do, they would back him as they always had. Without question, without remorse, and without hesitation.
"Com share new co-ordinates. Set engines to warp command in drehm mirax." Jaxon fed the rayar lock into the computer and waited for the others to confirm.
"Check." "Check."
Once they were locked, Jaxon punched in the system locking in on Satray Ish and hit the command.
'countdown commencing'
123987
"Sweet Holy Father. Sanctified Mother." Rashid murmured as the shuttle came low enough to make out the damage wrought by the Spectronian attack.
"Sweet Sepho." Treize added his own blessing to the murmur as he leaned over to see what had upset his friend so much. "Can you make anything out?"
Rashid slowly shook his head. Every building; every street; every throughway was gone. There were no markers; no pillars; no people anywhere that he could use as a reference.
"Commanders, we have the com at Delfin Polls." The flare of the internal alerted the two Commanders that there was an incoming transmission.
Rashid leaned forward to activate his com. "This is Quor Commander Rashid Kurama requesting updated information on the Alliance Council along with landing instructions."
Treize smiled and shook his head at his friend's almost absent minded request for clearance as he took his own seat across from him.
"This is Delfin Polls. Your pilot has all ready given coding for landing, the Council is awaiting your arrival in the control room." The female voice was precise and calm. "Command is under Patrol Commander Geron Uroff. Delfin Polls control out."
Treize raised an eyebrow at the quick dismissal. "Not so seasoned a comtroller after all."
Rashid released the comlink and frowned. "A Patrol Commander is in charge. Wonder how that came about."
Treize shrugged. "More than likely he was a sole survivor of highest rank."
Rashid shook his head. "More like he was a power monger who saw a chance."
Treize frowned at the worry written on his friend's face. "Look, so the man took control as long as it's under control what does it matter."
Rashid would like to think that way, but something wasn't right. "The Alliance Council would have not moved from their place of safety without their Protector. A Najor has always been assigned to high rankings before so why was he not the one in charge. Even with a ranking officer, the Protector out ranks everyone there. Me included."
Treize had heard of the famed Najors but had never met one. No one on Una had the need for them because the high rankings never left the safety of their icy fortress. Perhaps it was the Order's strict rules that had truly kept them from Una.
"Would he have taken command from this Patrol Commander?"
Rashid shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"We'll be landing in three triax, Commander." the pilot announced before either man could come to a conclusion.
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Okay quick references: dehil/day -nihil/night -triax/minute -mirax/second -dial/hour -thyerox/year -nol/asteroid -rayar/radar -I think I'll put more in my bio so check on that later. \waves tiredly- yawns- and disappears.\
