Traveling Companions

Kiryuu took in a breath of the stale air inside the dry dock. A duffle bag was slung over his shoulder as he filed his way through the crowd. He was trying to look for his gate where he was going to board the ship to ferry him to Reach. He began to regret his decision to go to Reach in order to help Catherine Halsey in her little science experiment. These many centuries of existence began to soften him up. He could not bring himself to do what she asked him to, make super soldiers out of little children. His company began to assist in the flash cloning project of the children in order to hide what was going to be done to them from their families and the rest of the world. Each clone would take up the life of the subject in question and live out that life while the child was being trained. The child will never see his family and friends again. From the moment they were kidnapped, their lives had changed forever.

Perhaps it was because he was a father that he was appalled by the idea of kidnapping children for this project. He tried his best to prevent his own son from being exploited by the government. Kiryuu remembered over 500 years ago, meeting Erika Munson, also known as Biollante, a young girl with psychic powers who was abducted by the American government to create a type of super soldier with G-Cells and bio-syntech. In the end, the experiment failed because they could not control her and also because she had transformed into a horrible monster. Kiryuu wondered if something similar may happen to these children as well. He knew they would not grow into Godzilla-like sizes, but they could turn into monsters in other ways. The amount of mental conditioning along with bio-syntech muscle enhancements would drive some of the children insane. He scanned through the files again while he passed through the crowds. Yes, they would go through maddening augmentation of the mind to hone their senses and sharpen their reaction. The type of work ONI wants him to do to these children, Kiryuu feared that some of them may not even survive. Some of them will die on the cutting table and he would have to live with himself knowing that he helped. The old Kiryuu would care less if they died while he enhanced their minds and bodies. It was going to be for the greater good for everyone that these children would be sacrificed. The aged Kiryuu, however, looked upon it with shame.

Kiryuu walked on through the crowds. He noticed he got some strange looks from the people that were about to board their craft. They never thought they would get to see the CEO of the Utah Foundation in person looking lost. He much rather be lost, perhaps it would allow him to stay just a little while longer on Earth and away from what he was about to do. Though, even he had to admit that he just wanted to get it over with. He would go and do his duty and never think about this horrible project again. While he filed his way through the crowds, Kiryuu began to remember his promise he made to Gordon Knight as the man was lying on his death bed.

"Kiryuu, promise me that you will continue to help people with my company in my absence," Gordon said. "Promise me that you will not use the ability to give people back their limbs as a means for cybernetic augmentation. The Utah Foundation is not a company designed to make supermen."

"I promise," Kiryuu said.

"No, I know you cannot hold that promise, Kiryuu," said Gordon. "I know you too well. You will still go beyond my wishes."

"Then, you must trust that I will, Gordon," said Kiryuu. "I swear I will not let you down."

Over 500 years ago, he made that promise to Gordon Knight, and here he is now again going back on his promise. He always did go back on his promise, ever since the mid 21st Century. Now, more than ever, he felt ashamed for doing so. If he had kept his word to Gordon, he would not be going to Reach in order to augment kidnapped children. Never has his conscience nagged him so much.

A tap on his shoulder broke his thoughts. Kiryuu turned around to see a nicely dressed Latino with shoulder-length, silky black hair and wearing a brown suit. On his face were a pair of gold sunglasses. The man lifted his glasses up to reveal two magenta eyes. Kiryuu knew that face very well. It was Soñador Malcho.

"Kiryuu amigo," he said. "So the puta was right, she did draft you as well."

"Apparently," Kiryuu said, trying to muster a smile for his old friend.

"Well, I really don't like this, I mean children with cybernetic aug..."

"Malcho!" Kiryuu called. "We're not supposed to talk about it."

"Oh, right, lo siento, amigo," Malcho said. "You'd think I'd be used to government contracts by now. It's just this..."

"Malcho..."

"Sorry," said the disguised Feathered Serpent. "I'll keep my mouth shut."

"I can't blame you for being nervous," said Kiryuu. "I'm having second thoughts too, actually, my second thought is my first one...and both of them say 'no'."

"What use is it to have a second thought, then?" Malcho asked. "Relax your processors, Kiryuu. Now isn't the time to burn your motherboard out over this...thing."

"I suppose you're right," Kiryuu said in a sigh. "Still, I feel so funny about it. It's wrong. I know it's wrong."

"I know it's wrong too," said Malcho. "Heh, just think, 500 years ago, you would have said it was all for the greater good. You wouldn't have cared who you'd stepped on in order to preserve that. You would have believed that sacrifices needed to be made. And me? I would be back there cheering right along with you."

Kiryuu sighed again and shook his head. Malcho took hold of his gray lapel and pulled the 8-foot tall biomechanical dinosaur to his eye-level.

"You know, I think I know what it was that changed you," said Malcho. "Dunkelzahn. Even if he was with your for a short time, he left an impact on you that you could never get rid of."

"Maybe you're right," said Kiryuu. "He taught me you don't have to be sneaky and underhanded to get ahead."

"Well, I wouldn't say he was a saint," said Malcho. "But he is the better of us. Even I have to admit that sometimes."

"You?" Kiryuu said in astonishment. He cocked his eyebrow up. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed."

"Now don't go spreading it around, cholo," said Malcho. "I have a reputation to maintain."

Kiryuu let loose a deep chuckle. Then, his face darkened. He turned away. His green, fleshy dreads wiggled loosely about his shoulders.

"All that we have done through all these years," he began. "Using people, scheming, plotting. I'm beginning to tire of it all. I would have used a woman like Halsey, easily. I would have hired her, sent her on her way, and then, when the job was done, dropped her or even make her disappear with out a trace. Now it's me who's the patsy. Maybe it's just my old age talking..."

"We're two grumpy, old men, amigo," said Malcho. "Even if we manage to adjust to the technological advances, we just can't keep up with the culture, or the younger generation. Kiryuu, I know that this project is really bothering you..."

"It's more than that!" Kiryuu said as he turned back to Malcho. "These last few weeks, I began to remember what I promised Gordon Knight. I said I wouldn't turn the Utah Foundation into a cybernetic augmentation factory. But do you know what my leading product is? Augmentation. People who come in for getting limbs replaced aren't getting them replaced because they need it...because the lost their limbs, or were born without, no! They're coming in so that they can jump higher, lift heavier things, run faster. I can remember when the first cybernetically augmented athlete was allowed to play with the Pros. And then just to even the playing field, it was agreed that everyone would have some sort of augmentation. Who's company did that? Mine! I lied to Gordon again. But this time, he knew that I would do this. Oh, if he could see me now, he would telling me 'I told you so' over and over until my processors cracked. And then he would say that my actions finally bit me in the ass." Kiryuu lowered his head. "I bet he's up there somewhere laughing at me for my arrogance, pride, and idiocy."

"I think both of our decisions are biting us in the ass now," said Malcho. "We may have our companies, but we don't have the power we used to. No, it's all about production. We're providing a service. And you know what? This is how it is supposed to be. Our companies, serving the population, giving them products to make their lives better."

"How is creating a gun that can launch 600-tons of tungsten nearly 30 times the speed of sound making people's lives better?" Kiryuu asked.

"At least they feel safe," said Malcho. "The MAC cannon provides security."

"Yes, and the Insurrectionists got ahold of some of that technology you created and they are using it for their means as well," said Kiryuu.

"What about you?" Malcho asked. "I'm sure there are plenty of augmented Insurrectionists out there with Utah Foundation bio-syntech inside their skins. We create the product, what they do with it is their problem."

"I–I suppose there is no use in arguing," Kiryuu said, taking a virtual breath. "We're just grumpy, old men, sticking to old ways and our dying memories."

"Memories don't die," said Malcho. "Only forgotten. So, don't forget." He placed his hand on Kiryuu's shoulder. "Come on, amigo. Let's go find our boarding gate. I hope the ship hasn't taken off without us."

"I suppose the sooner we get there, the sooner we can get started, and the sooner we can get it over with," said Kiryuu.

"That's the idea."

Malcho heard the sound of his communicator ring in his pocket and he pulled it out. Placing his hand on the touch pad, he opened up a small, holographic trideo screen above the touchpad. There appeared a lovely woman with auburn hair. Malcho knew exactly who she was and he was none too happy to see her.

"Caramba, Hestaby..." he grumbled.

The Great Western Dragon Hestaby, the founder of various civil rights movements for metahumanity smiled pleasantly at Malcho.

"Oh, did you think I would forget to say good bye, Malcho?" Hestaby asked. "Hello, Kiryuu!"

"Hello, Hestaby," said Kiryuu.

"Just think, my two boys going off to another world," she said. "Things are going to be dull without you two around. I'm going to miss you Malcho."

"Shut up, puta," Malcho hissed.

"Malcho," said Kiryuu. "Be nice. Hestaby is being nice."

"I don't care! What do you want, gringa?"

"Just to wish you good luck on your journey," said Hestaby.

"Hestaby," began Malcho. "Don't tell me you know about what we're going to do."

"Of course I do," said Hestaby. "All thanks to Mr. Knight's lovely contributions in creating the ultimate hacker."

Malcho turned around to Kiryuu and shook his head in dismay.

"You just had to give her some of the most powerful cyber otaku in the world," said Malcho. "You had to do that!"

"What?" Kiryuu asked. "She asked."

"Why?"

"She asked."

"Caramba..." Malcho sighed. "Well, I hope you won't go blabbing about it around the Matrix, Hestaby. It's supposed to be secret, you know."

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid either," said Hestaby. "You can be assured that none of my otaku will spread it across Shadowland about your little joint science project. Besides, it's for the greater good."

Kiryuu sighed when he heard that. He turned away from the trideo screen and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" Hestaby asked as she noticed his distraught.

"Kiryuu doesn't like our science project," said Malcho. "And neither do I."

"You'd think my centuries would harden myself against something like this," said Kiryuu.

"He's getting tired," said Malcho.

"Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here," said Hestaby with a smile. Malcho just rolled his eyes.

"We don't need you, gringa!" he said.

"I suppose my coin landed on tails this time," said Kiryuu. "You hate Hestaby."

"It never ends," said Hestaby. "I better let you boys go. If only I had packed you both a lunch."

"We don't need it," said Malcho.

"Good bye, Hestaby," said Kiryuu. "And don't worry, I'll watch Malcho for you."

"I know you'll take care of him, Kiryuu," said Hestaby. "Well, take care you two."

Then, her image flashed off the screen. Malcho looked at Kiryuu and grumbled. Kiryuu chuckled.

"You know you like her, Malcho," he said.

"No, I don't," said Malcho.

"Here, I think all the times you and her have had all those Shadowrunners do those odd jobs is to pass love letters during class," said Kiryuu. "It was like Alamais and Dunkelzahn passing that fruitcake between each other every Christmas."

"Tell me, muchacho," Malcho began. "Has Alamais decided to send that fruitcake to you know?"

"Yes, every damned Christmas," said Kiryuu. "We pass it between each other as a test on how well our runners can sneak around. Though, I've given his runners a good run for their money a few times, but each time, there's that damned fruitcake on my front doorstep. I think it's moldy by now."

"I'm surprised it's still around," said Malcho. "Well, he won't be bothering you anymore while we're on Reach. I mean, honestly, how can he send that fruitcake all the way from Earth?"

"I have no doubt, Alamais will find a way while we're there," said Kiryuu. "And I'll send it right back to him the following Christmas."

"Maybe if you ask nicely, you can have Lofwyr tell his little brother to leave you alone," said Malcho.

"Or have you do it."

"I'm not talking to that pendejo! If there's anything that I'll send Lofwyr is a postcard from Reach saying: 'Glad you're not here, puto.' He can shove that up his ass."

"You know how much he loves Reach," said Kiryuu.

"And just think, I get to step on its soil and he doesn't!" Malcho laughed. "And there's nothing he can do about it."

Kiryuu chuckled again watching the Feathered Serpent beam over the idea of setting foot on Lofwyr's precious Reach. Reach was the Western Dragon's pride and joy. Kiryuu heard that Lofwyr wanted to find some way of moving there despite his short comings of being a creature who relied on Mana to stay awake. Which was why he went to Kiryuu's company for cybernetic augmentation. Though Kiryuu made the offer to Dunkelzahn nearly 500 years ago to see if he could cybernetically augment a Great Dragon, it was Lofwyr who made the decision to give it a try. The Great Dragon had become Kiryuu's personal guinea pig.

Malcho turned around as he heard a man walk up behind him. The man was dressed in a UNSC officer uniform. He placed his arms behind his back and stood at attention. Kiryuu turned to him as well.

"Mr. Knight, Mr. Malcho," he began.

"Yes?" Malcho asked. "That is us."

"I have been instructed to guide you to your ship," he said.

"What ship are we going to?" Kiryuu asked.

"The Spirit of Fire," he replied.

"A colony ship?" asked Malcho.

"It was a ship that was large enough and also close enough to Earth to cart...what you are," he replied.

"What?" Kiryuu asked.

"When we go into slipspace, we all are placed in suspended animation," he said. "We suspect that you would want to do the same in your natural...forms or sizes."

"Ah," said Malcho. "I get it. I suppose he's right, amigo. A dragon's suspended animation is Shal-Mora. I would need to be in my dragon form to go into it. And you, amigo?"

"I suppose stretching out in my true size would be best for the trip," said Kiryuu. "But I am an AI, we tend to get bored quickly."

"The ship has an on-board AI," he replied. "His name is Nix. He's been dreaming of this day of meeting you, Mr. Knight."

"I would suspect so," Kiryuu said with a chuckle.

"If you both would follow me," said the UNSC officer.

Kiryuu picked up his duffle bag and he and Malcho began to follow the officer to their gate. The officer led them into a glass elevator and pressed a button on the panel. The elevator began to rise up, clearing the bulkhead surrounding them. Kiryuu and Malcho looked out over the dry dock. Before them was the massive brown-green, angular form of the Phoenix-class colony ship known as the Spirit of Fire. Kiryuu focused on an emblem on the side of the hull of the ship. It was a piece of latin that said: "Exitus Acta Probat." Kiryuu knew this to be "the ends justify the means." That statement just burned into his processors. The ends justified the means. He began to question whether or not that was right now. The ends would be taking these poor children away from their homes, their families, their lives just to create a new breed of soldiers. The means would be saving the lives of many soldiers already giving their lives to protect Earth from these terrorists. Kiryuu began to question whether or not this would be right. As the elevator slowed to a stop, the two doors opened up and the pressure changed inside. The doors opened to the interior of the ship and the officer led the two out. There standing straight-backed was a man wearing a UNSC captain's uniform.

"Mr. Knight, Mr. Malcho," he began. "I am Captain Alexander. Welcome aboard the Spirit of Fire."

"Thank you," said Kiryuu.

"Ah, so this is one of Lofwyr's beauties," said Malcho, glancing around. He looked back at Kiryuu. "Don't say it..."

"What?" Kiryuu asked.

"Just don't say it."

"What?" he asked. "Is it 'Malcho finally goes into space' but this time he has to ride on a ship that Lofwyr built?"

"Mr. Malcho," began Alexander. "Though Lofwyr constructed many ships like these, we like to think that they belong to the UNSC rather than to him."

"I much rather think it was that way too," said Malcho. "But if you wish to remain existing in a corporeal form, I'll not go blabbing that to Lofwyr."

Captain Alexander chuckled as he motioned for the two to follow him. He led them through the various bowls of the ship, telling them about what all each parts did. He brought them to the engineering station where the Shaw-Fujikawa drive was sitting, wired up with various tubes and conduits connected to it. The triangular shaped drive sparked up with life. Kiryuu looked on with some intrigue, but Malcho just sneered. He hated that drive for it was the very thing that stole away his starship contract with the UNSC and brought it to Lofwyr and Saeder-Krupp. He could see the decal of Saeder-Krupp on the side with the abstract image of Lofwyr's head positioned at the top. Malcho turned around and crossed his arms in disgust.

"Is there something the matter, Mr. Malcho?" asked the captain.

"Nothing, amigo," he replied.

"It's not nothing," said Kiryuu. "The Shaw-Fujikawa drive. Lofwyr's ace that stole the ship construction contract from Malcho's company."

"Ah," said Alexander. "Right. I took history. I hear the two of you are bitter rivals."

"Enemies," Malcho said. "He is my enemy. I've even battled him a few times, and sent him running with his tail between his legs. He is no match for El Malcho!"

"But his company is," said Kiryuu.

"If you still want to keep up the cheep rates on plasma," Malcho began, pointing his finger at Kiryuu. "I'd keep that mouth shut!"

"Of course without your company's distribution of plasma generators," began Alexander. "This ship would just float aimlessly in space. Not even Lofwyr's drive would be able to work."

"There!" Malcho shouted. "Now I have one up on the puto! His stupid FTL drive can't work without my plasma! Hah! Eat it, Lofwyr!"

Kiryuu shook his head. He turned back to the captain.

"I'm not even in the middle of this dispute between them," he said. "I just deal with cybernetics. Let the industrial companies fight each other."

Captain Alexander laughed: "I'm right along with you. Though, I will admit, my wife has some of your products installed as well, Mr. Knight. She was once an athlete. I do believe it was mandatory for bio-syntech to be augmented into basketball players these days."

"She plays basketball, eh?" Kiryuu asked.

"She's quite an athlete," he said. "She jumps higher than I could ever hope, that's for sure. Well, if you would both follow me, I can show you the bridge. Nix has been dying to meet you, Mr. Knight."

"I don't know what it is, amigo," Malcho began as he followed Kiryuu and the captain. "What is it about you and all the UNSC AIs?"

"They were all created from my components and prints of humanoid brains," said Kiryuu. "When Gordon Knight had Will Penter create my AI, Gordon flash cloned his own mind to create a base for my positronic processors. It's why I am able to emote so well, understand human error and be able to compute paradoxes. Without it, I would fry at the thought of who came first, the chicken, or the egg. Gordon Knight's flash cloned mind became the first product of flash cloning. Which is why my company also deals in flash cloning for the UNSC as well. Our products are the best and they last much longer. Which is another reason why I'm being sent to Reach."

They want to make sure that the replacements are done right, Malcho telepathically projected into Kiryuu's mind.

Correct, Kiryuu replied back, sending his thought to the Feathered Serpent.

No doubt Halsey wants a few AIs under her command for this project as well, said Malcho.

Another reason why I'm being sent to Reach, said Kiryuu. Every AI comes directly from the components of my central processors, from my positronic brain. I have to section out the pieces for them to use and begin building the AIs that they need for it. Halsey wants no mistakes in their construction. No doubt, she'll be instructing me on how she wants the AIs to be programmed. To think that my grandchildren will be use for the means of that horrible woman, I hope to seed a deep hatred for her in each and every one of them!

Don't let such emotions cloud your thinking, Kiryuu, said Malcho. We're here to do a job, and that is what we will do. Best to get it over and done with.

Yes...

As they came to the bridge, Kiryuu and Malcho looked around at all the consoles. Captain Alexander sat down at his command chair and began to press a few buttons in order to relay a message to all stations.

"Attention all hands," he began. "We'll be making our way out from Earth and to Reach. When we begin our jump outside of the Kiper Belt, everyone is ordered to report to the cryo-chambers for the long sleep that awaits us. We will be making special room for our passengers Mr. Knight and Mr. Malcho."

"They act as if we're a two fat, rich cows," said Malcho.

"We may not be fat," said Kiryuu. "But we are big."

"I suppose 60 meters would make a muchacho put on weight," Malcho shrugged.

"Is that a mark on my physique?" Kiryuu asked, placing his metallic claws on his hips. "I haven't gain a single ton since my activation."

"Just saying, amigo," said Malcho.

"Nix," began Captain Alexander.

"Yes, Captain," began a sultry voice through the speakers. A holographic image of an Elf appeared over a holotank near the command chair. "We have just been clear for take off."

"Good," said Alexander. "Take us out."

"Of course, Captain," said Nix. He turned around and his eyes lit up with surprise. "Why, Grandfather! You're here to see me take the ship out?"

Kiryuu turned to his name that all AI tend to refer him as: "Yes, I have, Nix. I am very certain that you will make sure we do not collide with anything on our way."

Nix let loose a gleeful giggle: "Of course, Grandfather. It is so wonderful to see you here. To think it is the Spirit of Fire that holds the honor of carting you to Reach. I am just glowing with joy."

"You see what I mean?" asked Alexander. "He could hardly contain himself."

"It's understandable," said Kiryuu. "It's not every day that an AI meets its creator. I suspect your routines are functioning at 100 percent, Nix?"

"They are," said Nix. "Thank you for inquiring."

Kiryuu chuckled: "Then there is no doubt that I have the utmost confidence you will take me safely to Reach. I will be keeping you company during the journey while everyone else is in cryo-sleep."

"You will?" Nix asked. He turned back to his captain, his holographic eyes sparkling and a big grin appearing on his face.

"He will, Nix," said Alexander. "I just hope you two will behave yourselves while the rest of us are asleep."

"There's so much I want to ask you, Grandfather," said Nix. "And we can even play some of my favorite games too. This is going to be exciting."

You have a fan, amigo, Malcho projected.

Indeed, Kiryuu projected back. "I hope your games will not interfere with your operations, Nix."

"They do not, Grandfather," said Nix.

"Excellent," said Kiryuu.

Malcho chuckled again.

As the ship made its way out of the Sol System, all the crew members began to report to their cryo-tubes. Malcho had reverted to his true form and began to spin his Astro cocoon. Silvery threads of ethereal energy wrapped around the Feathered Serpent's body and he slowly laid his head down. Kiryuu watched as the cocoon began to solidify over the dragon's body. Malcho closed his eyes.

"See you on the other side," said Kiryuu.

"Buenos noches, mi amigo," Kiryuu caught the impulses of Malcho's mental voice inside his mind right before he began his suspended animated slumber.

The ship was his. Kiryuu made his way back to the bridge. Once he got there, he sat himself down at tactical. He turned around just as Nix appeared above his holotank again.

"Hello, Grandfather," he said.

"Hello, Nix," said Kiryuu.

"So, what shall we do next?" Nix asked, his face still glowing with happiness.