Zoalords
Chapter 23
Visitation
Cloud Gate, Sho's Quarters
In the relative privacy of Sho's quarters, he discussed recent events with his wife and brother-in-law. They were both horrified to learn of the tragic fate of Murakami Kenji, and Mizuki was deeply shaken, "Sho, do you really believe you can trust these people?" Sho took her hands, "We have no choice." Tetsuro was memorizing everything he could in case it was needed in the future. "Sho, I know that Czyvek has helped us before, but I also know that he killed Aptom. We're dealing with CHRONOS here." "Czyvek told me that several members of The Council are sympathetic to us, including Amniculus, who is the leader of The Council, under Archanfel and . . ." "Barcus? What did Czyvek say about him?" Sho shrugged, "Not much. Nguyen told me that Barcus can't understand 'mortal concerns' anymore. He also thinks he's a good man." Tetsuro laughed, but there was no humor in it, "That's how twisted CHRONOS is, the good people can't, or won't, see the evil in it."
There was a knock at the door. Ishi entered the room, a grave look on his face, "The Unit Remover Zoanoids. They've been fully processed. It's time."
Mizuki collapsed sobbing in Sho's arms.
Cloud Gate, Command Center
Lords Archanfel and Mirabilis had left rather abruptly after the strange telepathic signal that all of them had noted. Czyvek had heard it too, and it worried him. The Zoalords involved refused to speak of what they had found. Czyvek did not believe that it was the Ouranos, but he was convinced something alien was involved. He had no time to think about it. Not now. The Unit Remover Zoanoids were finally ready and activated. Soon, Fukamachi Sho would be free of the Guyver. He didn't know whether to feel joy or pity.
The Ark
None of the Zoanoids knew what to make of the strange cloaked creature walking the halls of the Ark. Was it a Zoalord? A new type of Zoanoid? It didn't look like either. It was tall, apparently male, and completely concealed by bizarre silver armor and a black cloak. Its head was reminiscent of a chrome starfish, set atop a humanoid body. Despite the confusion, no one moved against the creature. It entered the chamber that held Lord Yentsui's Zoacrystal, walked unchallenged past the guards, and picked it out of the energy beam in which it was suspended. The first Zoacrystal has been retrieved.
Later,
"You mean this creature just walked in and took Lord Yentsui's Zoacrystal?" Edward Caerleon was stunned, how could any unauthorized creature gain access to The Ark, much less move unopposed amongst the Zoanoid guards? "We . . . It was like it was a Zoalord." The Danaplus explained, "We could not move against it."
"I will contact Lord Archanfel at once."
Cloud Gate, Testing Area 5
The massive Hyper-Zoanoid towered over Sho, despite appearances, it was quite capable of standing upright. Then Sho closed his eyes and waited. It was like standing in front of a firing squad. "Gone, what do you mean?" "Stolen! The Zoanoids could do nothing!" Sho opened his eyes to see Lords Czyvek, Archanfel, Mirabilis, (both of them) and Nguyen in the midst of an urgent discussion. "They said it was like a Zoalord. They could not move against him." The Unit Remover Zoanoid was trying to maintain his attention between Sho and the Zoalords. "What was stolen?" Tetsuro asked. "Lord Yentsui's Zoacrystal." Czyvek blurted out. Ishi's excited voice came over the speaker, "Lord Czyvek! WAIT! They've found another Guyver!"
The entire room went silent, then exploded into chaos.
Sho watched the confused Zoalords, they seemed to have forgotten him. He looked at the baffled Hyper-Zoanoid, who seemed anxious to get it over with. Sho didn't blame him, the waiting was driving him crazy. Finally, Archanfel turned toward Sho and the Unit Remover Zoanoid. "Stand down. We may need young Fukamachi as he is."
The Hyper-Zoanoid cursed as Sho gaped in shock. Did he just . . . ?
"Wait! We must find out if they work!" Dr. Shirai shouted, uncaring that he was speaking to the most powerful being on Earth.
"We will test them on Makishima." Archanfel replied, "The Unit was found in Egypt. We must leave at once." He had already taken the necessary information from Ishi's mind.
"B-but Fukamachi?"
I have plans for him, Imakarum. He may be more useful to us as the Guyver. We will take the other Unit, then destroy Makishima.
Of course, Lord Archanfel.
The Zoalords began to leave. Mizuki embraced a stunned Sho as Czyvek turned toward them. "You may go now. I'm sorry that you had to endure this." He turned to the Hyper-Zoanoid, "Don't worry, you'll get your chance against Makishima." His voice was soothing, and the massive creature plodded away, murmuring under his breath. Czyvek turned to Sho, "Would you like to accompany me?" Sho, emotionally spent, spoke in a barely audible voice "No."
Tetsuro shook his head in amazement, "Are all Zoalords insane?"
"No," Doctor Nighthawk replied, "Kenji is sane, but he's only ten."
To be continued . . .