Dreamline Trilogy

Part 2 of 3

An Interlude to Revelations

Visions of a Possible Future

By Nick Maro

The steady rhythmic beep of the alarm woke the slumbering woman. Aja smacked the clock harder than usual and rolled over in bed. She felt the spot next to her only to find it empty. Her husband Craig was still on tour with The Bluebloods. Slowly she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to take her morning shower and to wake up. She emerged after fifteen minutes and made her way into the kitchen. "Synergy, what's my schedule like today?" She poured herself a cup of coffee.

The android prototype of Synergy walked into the kitchen and stopped next to her. "You have a lunch date with Jerrica Llewelyn at noon. A two o'clock meeting with Phyllis Gabor at Gabor Industries. Then dinner with Kimber Benton-Gabor at seven." Synergy gave Aja a blank look.

Aja poured herself another mug of coffee as she thought about the busy day ahead. "Thank you, Synergy. Bring me the files and notes that Techrat left me." She took her coffee into her office. It was a mess with blueprints and notes. "One of these days I'll clean this up." She sat at her desk and went over the new personality program for Synergy. The nagging guilt about crashing the original Synergy fifteen years ago ate at her gut. Aja was in the middle of downloading her personality and data into the new system she had built when there was a power surge. It had instantly wiped Synergy clean. Jem and The Holograms disbanded shortly after that catastrophe.

Shaking her head out of her memories Aja focused on the papers before her. Synergy silently walked into the room and handed Aja the files and notes she had requested. She turned back to her research as she hid a yawn. Around nine, Synergy came back into the room with a platter of breakfast. Aja thanked her and the android left the room. She picked at her food as she read the notes.

"'Morning, Aja," Mary said in the doorway as she maneuvered her wheelchair into the den.

Aja's face brightened at the sound of her voice. "Mary!" She ran over and gave her sister-in-law a hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Tokyo getting that surgery for your legs done."

Mary shook her head in annoyance. "That damn earthquake is what happened. I wait six months on the wait list and it gets canceled because of a stupid tremor. The doctor said I could come in next week and they'll operate. I just stopped by to see how you were doing."

"Craig is still on tour and I'm working on Synergy, although I do have a meeting with Phyllis later. Her research and design department is hiring. She keeps saying that I have the job if I want it. So it looks like I'll be getting closer to completing Synergy." She put away the notes Techrat had given her. "I need some fresh air. Let's go for a walk."

"How about you walk and I'll roll."

Aja winced at the pun attempt. "Walk n' roll, oh that's terrible, Mary!"

Mary laughed at her joke. "Let's go my favorite sister-in-law."

"I'm your only sister-in-law," Aja grumbled as she stood and took a quick sip of coffee.

"Yep, that's why you're my favorite." Mary wheeled out of the den to the backdoor. "Hey, remind me when I get my legs fixed that I'll never go mountain climbing again. I have a very bad habit of becoming paralyzed when I do. By the way, any word from Shana lately?"

Aja pushed Mary's wheelchair on the sidewalk. "Not for awhile. She and I both have busy schedules but Jerrica talks to her more than I do. I think Shana and Anthony are living in Paris now. I dunno it's some damned fashion city that she's in now."

"Speaking of which how is Jerrica? I haven't seen her since, well you know, I-I don't like talking about it." Mary pulled out a packet of photos and showed them to Aja. "I haven't shown you these yet, have I?" She pointed to each of the children out in the photo. "The boy is Nate and the girl is Rei. They're foster kids I'm taking care of. Techrat and Connie are watching them right now."

"That's wonderful, Mary. It reminds me of how Starlight House began. Starts with two kids, grows to twelve." They walked in uncomfortable silence until Aja finally broke the tension. "Why don't you come with me to lunch? I'm meeting with Jerrica later and I know she'd be delighted to see you again."

Mary put the pictures away as she thought about the offer. "Okay, I was hoping to see her anyway. I wanted advice on how to run a foster home for abused children. I also want to ask for permission to take over the name Starlight House." Mary's chair hit a rock. "I need better suspension." The two long time friends walked the rest of the time in quiet.

Roxy fired her gun at the perusing vehicle. "Y'know Sheila, between you and David, I don't know who is better at getting me into trouble." A bullet ricocheted off the roof near her head. "Dammit Burns! Can't this piece of shit go any faster! That was almost my face!"

Jetta revved the engine of her sports car sending it flying down the alley where it sent trash flying everywhere. "Well excuse the bloody hell outta me, luv! How was I supposed to know that the Azure Blades were still operatin' in the Middle East? So don't blame me! I was assured they had disbanded after I killed Eddie." She turned out of the alleyway and on to a main street. "It was just a fluke that we found their headquarters. David is gonna kill us once we get back home." Jetta noticed in the rearview mirror that one of the cars skidded out of control and crashed into a storefront.

"Well, I just hope that store was empty." Roxy slid back into the car and reloaded quickly. "We'll worry about David after we lose these bastards. And I'm not blaming you. You're just an easy target at the moment." The back window exploded inward sending glass everywhere causing Roxy and Jetta to instinctively duck down. "Well, now I have a seat as a shield." Roxy slid her body behind the passenger seat and fired out the back window at the other car. The front windshield of the pursuing car shattered. Roxy shot the driver and the car went spinning out of control off the bridge they were racing down.

Turning off the main highway Jetta slowed down and pulled into an unmarked building. It was a safe house and auto repair shop for the people they worked for. Jetta got out and inspected the damage. "Bloody hell! Those bastards fucked up me car worse than I thought! Louie, can you get to work on this, luv?"

"Sure thing, Sheila." He caught the keys as Jetta tossed them to him. "Oughta take maybe an hour to repair. Looks like you really pissed someone off."

"They've been pissed at me for years, Lou. If David calls just tell him the Blades are back." Jetta climbed up the stairs to the office and sat in the small office chair. "This is majorly fucked up, luv." She lightly tossed her gun on the desk and relaxed.

Roxy paced the room while chewing her thumbnail. "Just what the hell were they doing using a computer store as a front?" She walked to a blank wall. "Computer, I want a search done on all related keywords to Azure Blades from nineteen ninety-nine to present. Begin." Roxy sat on Jetta's lap. "And now we wait. Just wish David would call."

Jetta began massaging Roxy's neck and back. "Has David mentioned anythin' about the divorce? Seems like it's been goin' on forever."

"Yeah, Kimber still won't sign the papers unless she gets one hundred million. Ungrateful bitch. David earned that money after they had separated." She moaned and hung her head as Jetta massaged a sore muscle. She leaned back against her best friend. "Thanks. I think I should call him. I know he said not to bother him but this is too big." Roxy dialed David's number and got his voice mail. "David, Jetta and I ran into some old friends. Get back home. We'll meet you soon. Having car trouble. It's very important." She hung up and rested her head on Jetta's chest.

"Forget how to speak in full sentences, luv?" Jetta wrapped her arms around Roxy's shoulders. "The worse part about this is no one goin' to pay us for takin' them down." She rested her head on top of Roxy's.

They rested there while the car was being fixed and thought about what to do. The computer signaled that it was finished with its search. "Computer, transfer data to the desk display screen." The information appeared out of what seemed to be thin air. It was actually a projection from a fiber optic bar set in the desktop. Roxy and Jetta read the data they found in awe. "Well, fuck me. Eddie has a daughter. She must be out for revenge on you, Sheila. Shit, she must hate us all. Computer, print out a hard copy and send this to the alpha email group. Encrypt it with the omega encryption program. Top priority. Complete erasure of all records on this computer." Roxy stood up and checked her pistol then grabbed five fresh magazines.

"I told you I didn't like this. Little bitch is gonna have it out for all of us." Jetta caught the magazines Roxy tossed her. She grabbed the hard copy and yelled down to Louie. "Is me car ready yet, Louie?"

Louie finished rubbing a spot on the car. "Just like the day you bought it, Sheila. Be careful the next time, eh?"

Jetta laughed and smirked. "I bought that pile of crap used, Louie, but you're still a goddamn miracle worker." Jetta and Roxy gathered everything they needed and raced for the car. She stopped before the mechanic. "Go home, get Rosie and the kids to the safe house we have for you. Roxy and I may have caused some trouble prematurely. Go take care of them, Lou." She kissed him on the cheek and got in the car, starting it up right away. She was out of the garage before the door was fully open. She and Roxy were on their way to their secured bounty hunter headquarters.

Jerrica Llewelyn finished her lunch and smiled warmly at Mary and Aja. "It's really good to see you, Mary. I love the photos of the kids you're taking care of. You're going to have to bring them by sometime." The waiter returned with the check, Jerrica signed her name and handed it back. "So, what are you doing tonight, Mary?"

"I'm heading back to Connie and Techrat's place. They're watching Nate and Rei while I'm visiting Aja. I didn't want any distractions while talking with her." Mary sipped her tea. "I was hoping I could use the name Starlight House. I want to open a house for foster kids like you had."

Aja stood from her chair and gathered her briefcase. "Jerrica, I have an appointment with Phyllis. Looks like I'm getting a job at Gabor Industries. Could you possibly give Mary a ride?"

"Of course, it's no problem." Jerrica hugged her old friend. "Call me after your dinner with Kimber. Don't worry about the Synergy thing you'll get her back soon. When Craig gets home from his tour you're both invited over for dinner and bring Synergy with you. She still amazes me."

"Sounds good to me," Aja hugged her sister-in-law. "Take care of the kids, Mary, and good luck with the surgery next week." Jerrica and Mary wished her luck at Gabor Industries. Aja went down to the car valet and her car was brought out quickly. She tipped the valet and drove off to Gabor Industries.

Aja played an old Jem and The Holograms CD while she drove. A sad smile spread across her lips. The drive was pleasant and gave her time to reflect on the past. Before she knew it she was at Gabor Industries. She drove up to the guardhouse and gave her name. The guard waved her in and she found an empty parking place. Aja gathered up her papers and research data. She put them in her briefcase and walked briskly to the main office building.

A security guard met her at the door; he gave her directions to Phyllis Gabor's office and handed her a security pass to wear. She rode the elevator the guard told her to take. Stepping off the elevator, Aja walked to the secretary's desk. "Hi, I'm Aja Phillips I have a two o'clock appointment with Phyllis Gabor."

The secretary looked up from her paperwork and picked up the phone. "Ms. Gabor, your two o'clock is here. Yes, ma'am." She hung up the phone and smiled sweetly at Aja. "She said to send you right in. Go right through those doors over there, Ms. Phillips." She flashed another smile and went back to her work.

Aja thanked her and opened the office door. Like everything in life Phyllis did her office was huge. Phyllis ran up to Aja and hugged her tightly. "It's so great to see you, Aja! I'm glad you decided to come work for me. I know how important it is for you to get Synergy back to full operations. How's the prototype android working?"

"My God this office is gigantic. Had to take the biggest one, huh?" She sat on the couch in the office, Phyllis sat next to her. "I couldn't stay away from your offer any longer. Techrat keeps saying how big your R and D department is and maybe they can help me get past this mental block I have." She showed her onetime rival the documents in her briefcase. "The prototype is working fine. Just wish she had more emotion when she spoke and that's where I'm stuck. I swear Emmett Benton was a fucking genius to create the original Synergy from scratch."

A door behind the office desk opened, David Gabor walked out drying his hands. "Have to remember that curry and a last minute flight from Japan do not mix." He paused when he saw Aja. "Oh, hi Aja didn't know you were stopping by. I was just on my way out, didn't mean to interrupt your meeting."

David walked to the office door quickly but Aja stopped him. "David, I'm not angry at you. You made your choices by yourself, no one forced you." She hugged him gently and slowly David hugged her back. "Goddamn you look good, David. The bounty hunting business must be good. How's Hitomi doing?"

"She's doing well but still grieving over Eiji and Ken. I'm still hunting for their assassins. Kyoko and Shin are helping with the search in Japan." David sat on the couch next to his twin sister. "I just stopped in to see Phyllis on my way to the office. Roxy and Sheila have been handling things while I was in Japan. I just hope we're not bankrupt." He gave an uncomfortable chuckle. "Are you still working on Synergy?"

Aja sighed and showed him her files that were on the coffee table. "Yeah, I'm taking a job in the research and design department here. I'm hoping it will help me out."

Phyllis' emergency pager went off first, followed by Aja and David's. David's cell phone rang. He excused himself and took the call in the washroom. Phyllis turned to Aja with a concerned look. "You got the same message?" Aja nodded. "Shit. Okay, we'll ride with David. Safer if we stay together." Phyllis sat at her desk, booted up her computer and checked her messages on there. The data Roxy sent her came up encrypted. "Computer; run omega subroutine. Run voice match. Authorization; Pizzazz. Password; Our Music Is Better." The computer began printing right away then erased all data records on the hard drive immediately afterwards.

"Phyllis, Aja, we have trouble," David said coming out of the washroom. "Roxy left a brief message on my voice mail." Phyllis handed him the print out after she read them. "Fucking wonderful," he mumbled. "Aja, Phyllis, you have to come with me to our base of operations. You'll be safe there. On the bright side, we won't have to schedule that family reunion. Phyllis, is there a secured exit? We have to get out of here with as little people seeing us as possible."

"This way," Phyllis said as she walked up to a wall and turned an engraving. The panel slid open revealing a hidden circular staircase. She looked over her shoulder at twin brother. "I learned from the best. This will take us down to my car in the garage. It's not a far walk down however it's not the fastest way." She pressed a button and the stairs folded down creating a slide. "This is faster and much more fun." Phyllis sat at the edge of the slide and pushed herself down. David and Aja followed quickly where she helped them to their feet at the bottom. "I had it installed for when I'm too tired to walk down. I'm lazy. What can I say?" She pressed another button and the stairs returned to their original position. "My car is this way." Phyllis opened a door to a private car port. She tossed the keys to David who opened the car for the rest. He sped away quickly down a private road.

Jetta looked through the spyhole to see who was at the door. She pulled out her forty-five caliber pistol and clicked the safety off. Standing out of the way she let the person in. Once they were inside and clear of the door, she wrapped her arm around their neck and put the gun to their head. She pulled the hammer back. "What's the fuckin' password? Answer wrong and your brains will be the new paint scheme."

"B-b-bushido." The person gasped out.

"I say shoot her, Sheila," Roxy said coming into the room. "It was close, but not enough for me. Hello Kimber. Wish you would've called first. Then I could've made sure I wasn't home."

Jetta let Kimber go and holstered her weapon. Kimber gasped for air while glaring at Roxy. "Fuck you. Someone sent out a call to the alpha group. I was told to come here for safety precautions." She walked into the kitchen, bumping into Roxy as she walked past and grabbed a bottle of water. "Now what's this about the Azure Blades?"

Roxy left the room to wait for the others as Jetta sat at the table across from Kimber. "They're back, Kimber. But this time it's Eddie's daughter who's in charge. Rox and I accidentally stumbled across them at a computer store they were usin' as a front. Anyway, we did this as a precaution. It was Roxy who sent the call out." She left the kitchen without saying another word and joined Roxy in the other room.

Over the next hour Jetta and Roxy greeted their old friends who came to the door. Kimber stayed in the kitchen to avoid the wrath of the two women. David, Aja and Phyllis arrived last. David walked into the kitchen. "Kimber, thank you for actually showing up. Have you changed your mind about the money?" She threw a glass at him which he grabbed in mid-air before it could hit him in the face. "I'll take that as a no, I'm going to talk to Roxy and Jetta to find out what's going on. Someone will get you when we're ready." He turned to walk out.

"Still Mr. High and Fuckin' Mighty, aren't you? You still think you can tell the world what it can do, don't you?" David stood there with his back to her. "Answer me goddammit!"

David slowly turned to face her. "And you still don't know when the right time is for a discussion like this!" He stared at her for a full minute in silence then turned to walk away again.

Kimber grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around to face her. "I hope you know I still love you but you still lied to me. You were in bed with Roxy and I caught you red handed." She left his gaze and stared at the floor. "I might as well be talking to a ghost. You're not the same man I fell in love with." She turned to sit back down.

"I'll be back in a moment." David left the kitchen and returned after a few long minutes. He sat opposite of her and slid a small wrapped package across the table to her. "Open it it's something I picked up in Egypt for you a few years back." He watched her open the gift it was a small golden pin of a phoenix. "I know what did was a terrible thing. It was a moment of weakness and Roxy even admitted to giving in as well but it's no excuse for the way I've treated you. I've been thinking of calling the divorce off. That is if you agree."

David began to stand up but Kimber forced him back into his seat. "Thank you for the pin but it's not just the fact I caught you with her. It's your line of work. I don't like it, no, I hate it. It's just not you. Hunting down another person for financial gain? I know they're criminals but it still doesn't sit right with me." She put the pin on her shirt.

"Listen, I'm retiring from the bounty hunting business. I've been endangering too many people I care about. Ken and Eiji are proof of that. I'm giving the company to either Roxy or Sheila, probably to both. But I'm also moving back to Japan and finally taking over the Ikari martial arts school." He got up to leave the room again.

Kimber quickly joined him and stopped him before he left. "You go talk to Roxy and Sheila. I want to talk to my sister. I need some advice."

The group of friends and allies gathered in the living room. Aja noticed that David was nervous and agitated when he began speaking softly. "The alpha call was created for an emergency such as this. It's for everyone's protection and safety. I'm sure everyone here knows the story or remembers the story about the Azure Blades. As you may know by now they're back and Roxy thinks its Eddie's daughter Penny in charge. She's restored the Azure Blades to an incredible power in the Middle Eastern countries. It was by sheer dumb and blind luck that Roxy and Sheila stumbled across their base in New L.A. As a result they're now aware of this group and operation. I assure you you'll be safe here. I'm asking for Roxy and Sheila to protect the house with me. There's a hidden room in the basement that will keep you safe. Sheila can show you the way down."

Kimber got up and stood next to him. "I'm helping you, David. I'm not sitting on my ass and waiting for you to save the day. It's not me. Not anymore" David started to protest until Aja also volunteered, followed by Phyllis, Connie and Techrat joining in.

Jerrica was about to volunteer when David stopped her. "No Jerrica, I need you with Mary to watch her kids. Besides, we have more than enough help here." She nodded and followed Sheila to the hidden secured basement safe room.

Over the next few hours David handed out weapons and Jetta helped design a defense strategy. Phyllis and Jetta were at the back of the house keeping a look out. Techrat and Connie were at the west side. Kimber and Aja were on the east side while Roxy and David watched the front gate. Roxy motioned David to a spot where no one could hear them. "I heard what you said to Kimber but I can't accept the company. I'm too old and tired for this shit. Fuck, I just did the action movie cliché." She kept her eyes constantly on the gates.

David leaned in closer. "I'll figure out whom to give the company to when this is over." A flash of movement caught David's eye. He put the nightvision binoculars to his eyes looked where saw the flash. "Look alive, Rox, I think we have company." He radioed a brief warning to the others then notched an arrow in his bow and kept low.

Roxy whispered in his ear. "What was it?" David shook his head as she pulled her hood up and tucked her hair in. She kissed him on the cheek. "Wish me luck, I'm going in for a closer look." She freed her twin pistols and disappeared into the tall grass. David had taught her the hiding tricks well. She was gone for a few moments then rushed back. "Five mercs in the grass, I heard them crawling. We can handle them."

Explosions rocked the left side of the house as the five soldiers in the grass popped up and began firing. David let the arrow fly into the heart of an approaching soldier. Roxy let loose with her guns and together they took out their attackers. "Roxy, check on Connie and Tech. I'll check on Aja and Kimber." He grabbed Roxy before she could run and kissed her gently on the lips. "Stay safe." He returned her smile and took off to the right side of the house. He rounded the corner to find Kimber and Aja in an intense firefight. He let the arrow he had notched loose slaying a soldier.

Kimber let a smile crack as a soldier popped up on her blindside. David notched another arrow and ran towards her while aiming the arrow. He pushed Kimber out of the way and let the arrow go. The arrow hit the mark but not before the soldier was able to fire. David hit the ground hard and Kimber ran up to him. Aja covered Kimber while she tended her husband. David turned over clutching his right arm as Kimber let out a sigh of relief. "I never wanted that money anyway. I just didn't want you to leave me. I always told you that I was as stubborn as you."

David pulled her head down and kissed her deeply. "Come to Japan with me." He slowly got up and notched another arrow. "Aja, are we clear?" Kimber stood next to him smiling while she readied her crossbow.

"We should check around back, I heard a hell of a lot of fighting back there." Aja loaded fresh magazines into her pistols and peeked around the corner. She gasped when she saw the carnage and swallowed hard. "Phyllis is dead. I'm so sorry, David." Kimber hugged him tightly. He told Aja to just go. She led her two friends past the grisly sight.

A woman with close cut, dark hair approached them as she held Jetta in front of her with a gun to her head. "That's far enough. Drop yuir weapons or I'll kill this bitch right 'ere." She pulled the hammer of her gun back. Aja, Kimber and David hesitated before they dropped their weapons. "Oh what good sheep you are, luvs. As if you hadn't guessed by now I'm the daughter of the man this bitch murdered and now you get to watch me get me revenge." Penny pulled the trigger killing Jetta instantly. Roxy screamed behind her and unloaded her gun into her back. Penny spun around and shot Roxy in the center of the chest. "Silly bitch, I was wearin' me kevlar vest!" She turned to the remaining three and pointed her gun at Aja. "Now, you die."

Aja panicked and screamed "No!" as the gun fired, the bullet raced towards her in slow motion…

"No!" Aja jerked awake and fell out of bed with a thump. "Oh God, what a nightmare." She sat on the bed and looked at the time. It was almost time to get up to prepare for the benefit concert. She put on her slippers and opened the door to go downstairs where she almost knocked Kimber into the wall. "Sorry Kimber had a bad dream."

"It's okay. I heard the scream and was just seeing what was wrong. You okay?"

"Yeah, it was just a nightmare. Come on, I'll make you breakfast." Aja followed her friend and thought about the exciting day to come.

COMING SOON: DREAMLINE PART 3