Phase 00: Tabrett

2 years later

Rain was pouring down over her head as she stumbled through the burning city streets. She was half mad at the events that had just occurred, a government intervention once again on the district; the poor downtrodden city of Iseran within the heart of what the UCN the X territory. Sure ROW had dominated this area for years but since that fateful battle two years before the city had been recovering peacefully until the UCN decided that it was a terrorist harbor within X. Sometimes she wondered what it was they were doing up there on the moon, plotting the imminent demise of the people who dwelt within X or really searching for a way to clear the corruption within the territory.

But on this night she didn't want to think anymore about it, she just needed a drink. She had found her destination, even with all the unrest around the bar was always open on this street. She stumbled in and they knew her as a regular costumer. She was served the moment she sat down with her usual, it was the strongest she could get but it could not even make her begin to forget her long life. She looked down at the gloves on her hands and smiled as she took the drink, letting the bitter taste wash through her. There was so much noise around, people freaked out about the intervention and the 'terrorists,' so much noise that she could barely hear herself think. She bowed her head for a second and her short dark bob fell into her face so she shook her head to brush it back. It seemed someone agreed with her about the noise because it stopped but she didn't turn around to observe the events. She heard the clicking of heavy heeled boots on the floor walking toward the counter and the obvious sound of weapons hitting a person's body as they moved. The intruder stopped behind her and let out a slight laugh.

"The great Tabrett Myra now drowning her sorrows away, I always expected more from you but then again I was a naive child at the time," the voice said causing Tabrett to sit up in her seat. She took another drink before turning around to take in the person who had entered the building and she met a pair of violet eyes and red hair that was shorter than her last encounter with the girl ten years before but she would never forget that face or that voice.

"Meiko Virea," Tabrett said addressing the woman who was before her. Tabrett had been right about the weapons, Meiko was decked out in a black suit with more than one option for weaponry, whatever reason Meiko was here it was not a social call and she had been looking for Tabrett. "What brings you all the way out here? I haven't seen you since I abandoned ROW and that was ten years ago. Surely your not here for revenge? I heard you got plenty of that in space two years ago." Meiko's eyes darkened at Tabrett's words but she had a purpose to be here, even though her query seemed hopeless. Trey stood behind her off a little ways keeping track of those entering and leaving, he did not approve of this mission but Meiko was in charge of everything now and he obeyed her orders without question.

"No Tabrett," Meiko responded and Tabrett saw her face soften slightly but still maintain an edge, "I never blamed you for what you did, in fact you inspired me to try myself and I eventually did escape ROW but that matters not now that they are long gone." Tabrett scoffed at that statement.

"Tell that to the government," Tabrett bitterly replied, "anyone involved whether willingly or unwillingly will always be on their radar it seems."

"I can get you off it," Meiko countered causing Tabrett to really wonder what this girl was up to. Tabrett was a lowlife as Meiko would call it and she was very heavily involved in the criminal side of the world; she knew things that most people didn't and she knew who Meiko had become to the world and how it was something truly great. Then again Tabrett always knew the girl had it in her to go far.

"How could you do that?" Tabrett asked, "I doubt even your step mother could pull the strings I need to get off their radar, I'm not worth your time Virea." Meiko shook her head as she clearly did not agree.

"You are of valuable importance to me," Meiko began now leading into the reason she came, "I know your heart Tabrett and though the years have hardened you they haven't changed your desires for freedom and peace. This world has become a very different place than we believed it would be as children and though we have been promised peace as witnessed today by the people of this city we are far from the end of all this. There is a war being fought out of the sight of the world and I know you of all people understand that. I also know you want to change it but feel powerless to do so." Meiko was hitting all Tabretts strings and she knew it, just a little more, "I am not here to force you into anything, I just wonder if you have the guts to try and stand again. I've been wondering for awhile if you had what it takes to get back up into the fight and that is why I'm here. I've been working underground for a little over a year now and when I remembered you I realized you were a valuable asset, whether or not you see it I will always believe it."

"You've got me," Tabrett responded waving away the continued speech, she had been longing for a real chance to get back in the game and here the Phoenix was giving her that chance. She would be a fool not to take it. "What is it you're up to Virea? I can tell it's something good." Meiko the flipped a coin into the air and Tabrett caught it; on one side was the number 4 and the other side was a firebird which was unmistakably the Phoenix.

"The Phoenix squad is happy to have you aboard," Meiko said to her, "further information will be relayed in base. What you need to know now is that we're not fighting any power you have encountered before. Are you up to fighting against the elusive Gryser Cerrian?" Tabrett's eyes widened as she realized, the rumors were true. Cerrian was real and if Meiko was after his blood he was the one behind everything, including the disappearance of Leyas Yamato. Tabrett suddenly realized that her agreement was setting her up for one wild ride.

So that's the prequel, let me know what you think and what you're looking forward to! Drive me to make this upcoming story epic! REVIEW!

WinterChill