Zoalords 17

Choice

Relic's Point

Dr. Angela Nighthawk watched as the Guyver-creature she had nicknamed 'Agito' consumed a sheep. It was terrifying. She imagined that it resembled Aptom's feeding methods.

The creature was fascinating, from a scientific standpoint. 'He' was a natural metamorph, taking on the attributes of his prey. At several points he had transformed himself, or perhaps reverted, to the form of Makishima Agito. It was disturbing, even being familiar with Zoanoid transformation, to see the creature assume the form of a nude youth. The boys in Jukadan did the same every concert, but they had been born human and processed. She had no idea what this creature should naturally be, if it had a natural form at all. 'He' was The Thing, assuming the forms of his prey. And Doctor Barcus' and her own initial assessments had been wrong. This was not a mindless beast. He was cunning, utilizing the forms of previous victims to approach new ones. After his first sheep, he became a sheep the next time a sheep was given him. They had experimented with several different animals, with the same results. He also distinguished between them. He did not become a cow among sheep.

Doctor Shirai theorized that he assumed Agito's form in an attempt to fool humans into coming too close. She was forced to agree.

She was afraid that they would have to destroy him. The thought of killing, especially killing a unique, possibly intelligent life-form, disgusted her. But he was too dangerous to allow him even limited freedom within the base, much less to release him into the outside world. But, to keep him in an observation cell for his entire lifespan, which could be indefinite, was cruel. Perhaps utilizing Ouranos technology they could find a find a way to bring him under control. How had they harnessed these creatures?

It was a pity that Doctor Barcus had been recalled to The Ark. Though his lack of morality concerned her, he was probably the greatest genius on Earth. And the stress of so many attacks was beginning to affect morale amongst the scientists and staff at the base. Relic's Point had not been threatened, but the destruction of Star Tower following so closely upon the attack at Takeshiro had everyone on edge.

She began to wonder if having a Guyver Unit was such a good thing after all.

The Ark

"I am . . . Hesitant to send you back to Earth, Kenji. Much has happened in the past few days." Archanfel was feeling tired again, the stresses of the attack on Star Tower and the subsequent disruption of CHRONOS' affairs was deeply troubling. "Even Silha may not be safe for us until the threat is dealt with."

Kenji didn't like the sound of that. "If anybody tries to attack Silha, I'll kill them myself." Archanfel was not surprised by the boy's response, he had been trained to act. Unlike Czyvek, he was more than capable of dealing with an opponent without hesitation. But against a Guyver. . . Archanfel treasured the boy as if he were his own. He could not allow harm to come to him. "I know that you would do anything for me, Kenji. But I do not wish to risk you being harmed by . . . By our enemies, you are far too precious to me." "But I can take care of myself." "I know that. I just need to deal with something first. Something important to me." He did not want Kenji to know that Guyot still lived. Such knowledge might trouble him.

"I have nine Zoalords on Earth at this moment to defend our interests. Stay here, I need you. I am growing tired, and Barcus can only help so much."

"Okay. I'll help you."

Cloud Gate

The entrance to Cloud Gate was heavily guarded, following the incident in Russia and the fact that Guyver III and possibly Richard Guyot were still loose in Japan. The facility was closed to the public until the crisis was over.

A Synevite soldier pointed several tentacles toward the small, thin figure approaching the entrance, "Is that who I think it is?"

"Yeah." His partner, an Enzyme IV replied, his acid-spewing proboscis ready despite his orders, just in case.

Let him enter. There was confusion in Lord Czyvek's mental voice.

The Zoanoid guards parted like water as Fukamachi Sho entered Cloud Gate.

For some reason, Sho was not surprised the Zoanoids allowed him entry. He cringed when he noted Enzyme I and II's among the sentries. Enzyme I, Makishima Genzo, had killed him in a brutal battle, and Enzyme II . . . His father, Fumio, had been the first Enzyme II, and Sho had been forced to kill him. Forced to kill him by CHRONOS, the very group to whom he was surrendering. He swallowed hard and walked on. A lanky Malcult met him at the entrance, "Please, follow me. Lord Czyvek is anxious to see you." The Zoanoid led him to an executive elevator.

Ishi blinked and rubbed his eyes as Sho walked into the room. They knew each other, Ishi sometimes visited them in behalf of Lord Czyvek, but he'd not expected to see Guyver I here. Mikhail Czyvek stood near the center of the room, in human form. Confusion was written across his features.

Sho was amazed at how easy it had been to gain access to Lord Czyvek. True, he was personally an ally, but to allow one of CHRONOS' greatest enemies to enter their headquarters was incredible.

"Sho? Why have you come here? Lord Mirabilis is still in Japan. If he returns, I may not be able to protect you."

"It . . . Doesn't matter anymore. You said that Archanfel agreed to spare Mizuki and Tetsuro if he could get the Guyver. Well, he can have it. My life doesn't matter. Just see to it that no harm comes to them." His voice was firm, but his eyes were red and tired.

"You're sacrificing yourself?" Czyvek's voice quivered slightly. He had not expected this. "In only a few months the Unit Remover Zoanoids will be ready. It's too early to . . ."

"For three years Mizuki and Tetsuro have suffered because of this," He pointed at his forehead, where the Control Medallion would be when Bio-Boosted, "That's far too long. Now that Vorsted is in charge of the CCI, you can't protect us anymore. It's me they want. I trust you. Please, protect them . . ."

Czyvek sunk heavily into his chair. There were tears in Ishi's eyes. "Oh, God," Ishi had never heard Czyvek's voice so strained, so anguished.

"I'm glad to see you've finally come to your senses, Sho." All eyes turned to Imakarum Mirabilis. He walked slowly into the room, a tall, elegant figure in a sweeping cloak and dark glasses. Sho knew that this man was not who he appeared to be. In another life he had been Masaki Murakami, a journalist and close friend of Sho, the man who'd protected them from CHRONOS. Sho had been unable to return the favor. Murakami had been captured and brainwashed, had ceased to exist. Imakarum Mirabilis was little more than a puppet of Archanfel now, an extension of his will. "Why is everyone so unhappy? This is what you all want." The sight of Mirabilis/Murakami filled Sho with rage, "Do you think I want to give an alien super weapon to the people that murdered my father? That turned you into this? I want to protect the people I care about, something you can't possibly understand."

Mirabilis snarled, "I understand. More deeply than you can possibly know. But I have accepted what my life has become. What my son's life has become."

"S-son? You have a son?" A look of absolute horror crossed Sho's face, if they did this to Murakami, what would they do to his child?

"It wasn't CHRONOS," Czyvek intervened quickly, "It was Guyot. The traitor kidnapped . . ."

"Let's not discuss this now." Mirabilis cut him off, "You will surrender yourself to us if we spare your wife and friends. Agreed. Though, I imagine, Mizuki must have taken it hard."

A tear rolled down Sho's cheek, "She begged me not to do this. But I knew it was only a matter of time, once the new Zoanoids come out. I . . . I didn't do this lightly. I . . ." Sho sat on one of the guest chairs and buried his head in his hands.

You promised me his life! Archanfel promised to spare his life! Czyvek's mental voice was insistent.

That depends on whether or not he behaves until the Unit Remover Zoanoids are ready. Once we have the Guyver, he will be freed.

"Where will you take me?" Sho asked.

"Here seems appropriate." Mirabilis observed. "Mikhail will keep you safe, and you are unlikely to attack your greatest ally on The Council."

"He lives only a short way from here," Czyvek noted, "surely his own ho . . ."

"NO!" Sho stood up, he looked down sheepishly, "I'm sorry. I know you want to help me, Lord Czyvek, but if I stay at my home Mizuki could become a target." He sighed heavily, "Will . . . Barcus be involved?"

"Possibly. There are many tests that need to be run, questions that need to be answered."

"Doctor Nighthawk and Lord Nguyen are more than qualified to examine Sho." Czyvek stated warily.

"But Lord Barcus will want to personally examine the Guyver."

"It is unwise to have Barcus here, considering what he did." There was a hint of anger in his voice.

"With respect, sirs, I think it's kind of a bad time for you two to fight." Ishi interjected.

"Yes, I suppose it is." Lord Mirabilis turned to leave, "I shall confer with Lord Archanfel on this development." He paused and looked back, "You made the right choice, Sho."

To be continued . . .