CROSS ANGE: THE GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM

ARC 4: ARZENAL'S UPRISING

The beautiful crystal blue sky was raining sakura petals that fell like pink snow across the emerald, green fields that stretched out for miles. Between her sister Angelise's arms, Sylvia laughed joyfully as the white stallion beneath them raced across the fields to catch up to their older brother Julio astride his own brown shire.

"Go Angelise! You can win this!" Sylvia cheered. She was so happy she had such a wonderful sister and family. Nothing in the whole world could harm her when she had big sister Angelise with her. But the joy and happiness suddenly turned into a venomous chill and Sylvia felt herself slip from her sister's arms and fall off the white stallion towards the ground.

"Help me, Angelise!" she cried but no sooner had the words left her mouth then the sky turned dark as flashes of color burst across the landscape, the burning fireworks whizzing all around Sylvia as she continued to fall.

'CRACKOOM!'

Angelise turned to her and smirked evilly at Sylvia, the once beautiful white horse they had both been riding now a machine shaped like a giant black metal hornet. Without warning the monster that was once her sister threw a combat star that whizzed past Sylvia's face and Julio screamed in pain as blood gushed from his left eye…

Sylvia woke with a horrified scream as a flash of lightning lit up her room, her heart threatening to leap right out of her chest. Gasping for breath, she called over her hoverchair with the Light of Mana and climbed in so she could traverse the empty and dark palace hallways. Hugging her favorite pillow tightly, Sylvia hoped Julio would allow her to sleep in his room tonight. Angelise would always let her sleep in her bed when she had nightmares. Now she only had Julio, but would he let her? Especially with the pain he was in?

The doctors did the best they could, but Sylvia had overheard their chat with Captain Riza that there was no hope his eye would ever recover. 'She won't really come back would she?' Sylvia worried. Surely, she would know that they would be on the watch for her. But that evil creature who had once been their sister has escaped once before, so what was to stop her from coming back for revenge? And what about those humans that helped her? How could they turn their backs on their own kind to help a Norma?

When she finally reached Julio's bedroom door, Sylvia noticed something seemed off. Julio never left his bedroom door ajar. It wasn't until she got closer that she heard the faint laughter of a woman coming from inside.

"My poor Julio, does it still hurt?" Sylvia stopped abruptly; Captain Riza! What was the imperial Captain doing in the Emperor's chambers at this time of night?!

"It's hideous isn't it." Julio whimpered. "If only those vile traitors to humanity hadn't gotten in the way. I'd have killed that wretched Norma for good. I'm a failure as an Emperor."

"No, you did good. I'm proud of you Julio. And your wound isn't hideous. You could never be repulsive to me."

"Really, you mean it?" Julio's voice perked up as Sylvia's curiosity made her edge closer to the open doorway. "You make me so happy. Father and Mother never gave me attention or praise like you do. They always gave Angelise all their attention and in the end they both gave their pathetic lives for her." There came a collective moan between the two as Sylvia cautiously peeked through her brother's door just as another flash of lightning lit up the darkness, causing her to clap both hands over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

Captain Riza and her brother Julio were lying together naked in bed, a trickle of purple liquid dripping from her index finger onto Julio's lips. And protruding from her back were two long red bat-like wings. 'She's a monster!' Sylvia thought, too horrified to move.

"Well now's your chance to impress me further." Riza soothed in a husky voice. "I want you to give me the Dawn Pillar access codes."

"Ah, you want to open a singular portal?" Julio said dreamily.

"That's right, my sweet Julio." Suddenly, as if sensing they were being watched, Riza turned her head and her sinister yellow eyes met Sylvia's. The young princess turned her chair on the spot and tried to flee but something long and slithery coiled around her neck like a snake as the monster's soft voice breathed in her ear. "Naughty naughty." Riza whispered. "It's not nice to spy on two adults having a private moment. I suppose I'll have to keep you quiet."

"Help me! Anyone!" Sylvia choked. "Save me big sister Angelise!" Something dripped into Sylvia's mouth and the last thing she saw out the corner of her eye was a faint blue light passing by the window before the darkness took her.


Observing the footage from the Mana drone he had sent to spy on the Emperor's bedchamber, Dutch Villson's lip cracked into an amused smirk. "Well, this is a surprise," He thought aloud. "To think one of those animals has infiltrated the Imperial Palace. And she also has the boy Emperor in the palm of her hand." Hopefully, his discovery would help alleviate Master Embryo's displeasure for Dutch's recent string of failures. Before he could report it however, he received a sudden call from Sargent Brawl. "Sargent, what's the status of your investigation?" He answered.

"Commander, my team and I have located and infiltrated the terrorist base." Brawl informed. "Unfortunately, it seems like we're too late. The entire facility is empty." According to the tracker Dutch had slipped onto the trailer, the group that had escaped with Subject Alpha had withdrawn to the mountains that bordered Endurant and Misurugi, not too far from the forest where he had failed to catch Subject Alpha and the second escaped Norma.

"Show me." Dutch ordered. Sargent Brawl linked his body cam to Dutch's Mana line and a screen opened to show Brawl's squad navigating through empty darkened metal hallways. "Continue the sweep Sargent. Once the area is secure start searching for any intel they may have left behind." It wasn't the discovery Dutch had hoped for but they should be able to find SOMETHING of use. "Have you located the tracker yet?"

"Negative Sir. But we should be coming up on it soon. According to the locator It looks like they abandoned it along with the vehicle they used somewhere on the lower levels." Leaning forward, Dutch watched as Brawl and his team traversed down a narrow spiral staircase into a cavern far below the main base. There, atop a landing platform was the trailer, still sporting the damage Dutch had inflicted upon it with the Ragnarök. Several of the men shined their gun mounted flashlights as Brawl circled the vehicle, and in doing so managed to catch a message spray painted across its other side.

'NICE TRY DOG.'

"Sargent stay back!" Dutch ordered. "Do not approach that trailer under any circumstances." Dutch knew a booby trap when he saw one and those primitives were only fooling themselves if they thought he or his men would fall for such a lazy attempt.

"10-4. Men, fall back. We're returning to the upper levels." As Brawl backed away, something clicked underfoot, and a sudden shock sent Brawl flying forwards to crash against the side of the trailer. More explosions shook the cavern along with the screams of the assault squad as the screen turned blank.

"Sargent, do you copy?! Sargent Brawl respond!" Dutch yelled but to no avail. "FUCK!" In his tidal wave of rage Dutch, flipped his desk to send it crashing against the office wall, papers and shards of whisky glass scattering everywhere. Dutch lifted his chair and was just about to hurl it through the office window when something crunched underfoot that turned his anger into ache. Calming himself, he picked up the now cracked picture of him and Donnie when they were kids.

"Sorry brother." Dutch sighed as he gently caressed the image of his younger brother playing with his first chemistry set. Setting the chair back into place, Dutch sank into it in a defeated slump. Everything he had worked for, for almost 19 years, was now falling apart. His revenge and capture of Subject Alpha had now failed twice, he was at a dead end in locating the rest of the terrorists and he was close to losing his place by Master Embryo's side. And it was all Subject Alpha's fault!

He relayed his options on who to turn to for assistance. Jeffry was still recovering, Jadis was not returning his calls after he struck her, and the world leaders table were most likely discussing his resignation. He had no one else to turn to. The only thing left to do was inform master Embryo of the spy inside of the Misurugi Palace.

But just before he could make the call, Dutch stopped himself, thinking about the files he had discovered. 'You lied to me Master. What else are you hiding from me about Subject Alpha and Beta?' Then an idea struck him. Perhaps there was someone he could use to help him. He could kill three birds with one stone and not only get back in Master Embryo's grace but get rid of both Subjects Alpha and Beta for good. His dream was not dead yet.


CHAPTER 48

FURY

With a huge screeching roar that shook the sky, the huge brig-class DRAGON vented its frustration over its damaged left wing by launching another barrage of scales at the Para-mail swarming around it. "Stupid, you make it too easy for us." Captain Eleanor of the third squad smirked, shooting down the final schooner while the rest of her squad weaved in and out from the Brig's attack. Eleanor observed the Brig that flew awkwardly from its torn wing as it turned back around. They could end this quickly.

"What's our next move Captains?" asked Vice-Captain Cho. But before Eleanor could respond, Cal had already radioed though his orders first, much to her annoyance.

"Artillery hold position here and use your heavy cannons to slow that ugly lizard down. Everyone else, let's pincer it."

"No!" Eleanor objected. "We can finish this now! Artillery, get above its head and tear apart its one good wing. The rest of us will get bellow to finish it off!"

"No wait!" Cal yelled but most of the third squad followed after Eleanor while Irma, Tanya and a few others halted, torn between the conflicting orders. Cal jolted Siegfried forwards with Irma and Tanya behind him trying to catch up with the rest of the squad who intercepted the Brig head on. The DRAGON screeched in fury as 10 para-mail circled around it. Artillery team Lauren and Mikoto minus Tanya blasted at its wing while everyone else began to open fire at the shields protecting its front. Suddenly, without warning, the Brig rolled over in midair and launched towards the two Hauser's who were forced to withdraw. But the younger recruit Ginny was not fast enough as the Brig's massive jaws clamped down, severing both of her Glavie's legs at the knee. It spun around again and shot past the entire squad, swatting Tanya aside with its tail.

"Shit!" Eleanor spat. If the Brig got enough distance from them, it would fire another barrage. "Everyone pull back! Flank it's left and right." Irma managed to catch Tanya just in time as the rest of third squad focused their attacks on the DRAGON'S flanks, giving Eleanor an opening at its neck. As the Brig snapped out again at one Glaive who flew too close, Eleanor loaded up her freeze bullet and moved in for the kill when the Brig's head erupted into shards of ice. The Brig gave one final convulsion and fell limply into the sea below. From the corner of her eye, Eleanor gritted her teeth as she saw Cal holstering that crossbow weapon of his.

"Nice work everyone, return to base." Commander Jill called over the radio. "Cal, Eleanor, I expect better next time." Eleanor's eyes narrowed in Seigfried's direction and no sooner had they returned to base, stomped over to give Cal a piece of her mind.

"Hey you! Stop interfering with my squad's teamwork!" She shouted. "I'm the Captain not you!"

"Then don't be so damn reckless!" Cal argued. "Ginny could have gotten killed because you jumped the gun!"

"Yeah, and one of us got injured thanks to you for holding her back." She said with a point towards Tanya who had a nasty chicken egg size bump above her left eye.

"Captain I'm fine, really." Tanya said woozily. "I let my guard down." The rest of third squad's shifted their attention between Cal and Eleanor, clearly unsure who's side to take. The ferocity of their argument was enough to draw stares from even the armorists and the squads training at the simulators on the other side of the bay.

"At it again are we?" Scarlett sighed walked over bemused.

"Can it Scarlett." Eleanor growled.

"I'm sorry but someone has to keep a cool head in battle." Cal told her, his thoughts trailing back to the fallen members of Team G.H.O.S.T. "You charge in without a solid plan and that's a one way ticket in getting people killed." Eleanor's eyes pierced at Cal and jabbed a finger in his chest.

"I don't care what the Commander says, so listen up! My tactics have never failed me and my squad. So keep it to yourself and fall in line with everyone else."

"Oh, and did they work for Beth and Emily when you charged head on through the Category 5 without us?!" Cal pointed out. Eleanor launched for Cal with fist pulled back but Irma and Cho grabbed ahold of her in time.

"Don't you dare you bastard!" Eleanor screamed. "Don't you dare bring Beth and Emily into this!" Shaking off her teammate's grip, Eleanor stormed off with most of her squad following and making Cal feel so frustrated he wanted to kick something.

"Don't worry about it." Scarlett said as she nudged him with her elbow. "These things just take time."

"I don't know what I'm going to do Scarlett. I don't know why she won't just listen to me."

"Eleanor's always had a stubborn streak. Just try and work a way to mesh both your styles and battle plans. Afterall your own tactics have made some improvements for me and my squad ever since you've been drilling with us. Even Sadie was impressed. She might even be willing to have a private session with you."

"Give over." Cal grimaced. But at least he did feel a little better.

"In that case," Scarlett continued, "how about we go work off some of that tension in the gym. Now that you've had a few days to heal up I have to make sure you don't soften up on me. We're both going to need to be ready for when the time comes."

"Yeah." Cal nodded. "Let's be sure to work the bag in though. I could use something to hit." Aside from maybe Hilda who was still locked up in solitary with Ange, Scarlett with her own grudge against Jadis probably understood how he felt more than anyone else. And even though Jasmine and Maggie had urged him to take it easy, saying that the beating Cal had given Dutch would buy them a little time, Cal felt too restless to just sit around. After all, Blackadder was still out there and even after both he and Dutch were taken out, they still had this Embryo guy to deal with. According to what Jill had told him, he was the one behind everything. After all this time, Cal finally had faces to put behind all the pain he had endured since that fateful night on his and Gramp's island and a clear objective of what he needed to do. And as he and Scarlett poured their all into each rep and set, the burning in his tired muscles that once slowed him down now seemed to drive him even harder.

'I'm waiting for you both.' Cal vowed as he began striking the bag, the sand filled canvas buckling with each blow. 'I won't run or hide anymore. You want me than you can come and get me. And when you do, there's only going to be one of us walking away alive.'


Once the First squad were finished with their drills for the day, they retreated to the showers and Salia leaned back her head to let the water soak the stress out of her skin. Though she had regained order with Rosalie and Chris, with Cal's return she'd hoped everything would go back to normal. But instead, everything seemed worse than before. Especially with Miranda ever since the scene with Hilda, she had gone on a downward spiral with her performance.

"Miranda." Salia approached the young recruit when they dried off and changed at their lockers.

"Yes Captain."

"Your training results have been under average at best lately." Salia stated, trying to sound firm but not harsh. If she didn't improve soon, it could mean the death of her or even one of her squadmates. From out of her locker, Salia took out the book she had purchased from the mall and handed it to Miranda. 'BEHIND ENEMY LINES. DRAGONS AND PARA-MAILS.' "This book helped me improve when I was a rookie and it's still regarded as one of the top field manuals written by Arzenal pilots. I want you to study it thoroughly and incorporate a few of its instruction into our next drill."

"Yes Captain." Miranda nodded. "I won't let you down. I swear it." Miranda saluted before she turned to leave and Salia couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Hilda's betrayal and cruel words had clearly hit her hard. 'I'm never good at this sort of stuff with the recruits.' Salia sighed to herself. However, Salia had another on her mind besides Miranda. By now, Cal had been back for three days and ever since then, he had been pushing himself harder than ever. In addition to drilling with the other squads, twice in a row he had been sent out to support them in combat. The first time was two days ago, barely a day after he got back and the second was just this morning. And from what Pamela had passed on to her, Cal had clashed with Eleanor and disrupted the entire formation. Even at night when she and Ersha would return to their shared quarters, Cal would already be fast asleep, too tired to spend quality time with either of them or even talk. 'It'll be okay.' She told herself as she dressed. 'Cal's strong. He always finds a way to bounce back no matter what gets thrown at him.' Exiting the showers, Salia was mentally compiling her daily reports when who should appear but Scarlett in her workout outfit.

"Hey Scarlett, have you seen Cal?" she called out.

"I just finished a session with him in the gym." The older girl answered. "If you hurry he might still be around there."

"Did he seem alright? I heard that he and Eleanor didn't exactly mesh well in the field."

"That's an understatement." Scarlett said. "The two of them almost came to blows when they got back to base." Salia sighed and leaned back against the wall.

"I don't know what to do. I'm glad Cal's back here with us but something has changed about him. And I'm not sure I like it."

"And we both know exactly what it is." Scarlett reminded her.

'Dutch Vilson.' Salia thought to herself. The man who had killed Cal's Gramps. Who at this very moment was trying to find some way to get his hands on Cal for who knew what kind of torture.

"Believe me I can understand how he feels. I've carried my own grudge against Jadis for years. It's why I've been keeping my eye on him since he got back."

"How did you deal with it?"

"I didn't. That kind of anger you never really let go of. You just have to learn to compartmentalize it so it doesn't become all you feel. And the Commander isn't helping him in that regard."

"How can you say that!?" Salia cried out. "If the Commander didn't believe in Cal then she wouldn't have given him Siegfried in the first place! I believe he's ready and so should you!"

Scarlett sighed and leaned against the wall. "Salia, listen to me. I know what Cal is feeling because I've felt it as well. When you carry it for as long as I have, you recognize it even when someone's trying to hide it. And Jill is definitely hiding a lot from us. I don't know what her full agenda is, but I doubt she has our best interests or even freeing the Norma at the forefront of her mind. She's treating Cal less like a comrade and more like a weapon to be aimed. And I think you know that as well." With her piece said, Scarlett walked off to the showers and left Salia to reflect on her words.

'Scarlet has to be mistaken.' She argued to herself. As the Knight of Villkiss, Jill had always intended to prepare Cal for the role of lead captain when she assigned him to Siegfried. And yet, from what Salia had observed, it did seem like Jill was encouraging Cal to embrace his anger. And then there was the matter of Villkiss. Salia had hoped that with Villkiss confiscated from Ange that Jill would reassign the unit to her, but Jill had not even discussed the matter with her. 'I'll talk to Jill about it at the next meeting.' She decided. 'I can't allow Cal to take on this burden alone. It's exhausting him already.' And even more so, she was missing Cal's touch dearly. The increased regimen he had put himself through left him so exhausted that he hadn't touched either her or Ersha since he got back. Durning one night when Salia was having trouble falling asleep, she could have sworn he had mumbled Hilda's name. 'Did something happen between them?' she worried. Was Cal going to abandon her for Hilda of all people? No, that was impossible. She and Cal had been squabbling like cats and dogs from the first day he arrived. He just needed some time to fully recover and then everything would be back to normal.


Because of Cal's less than stellar performance with Eleanor the previous day. Commander Jill had rescheduled his morning training regimen with third squad instead of first. Between his absence and the two traitors still locked up, first squad was under a severe handicap. And even worse, Miranda's performance had failed to improve. Over the past week with her former mistress Hilda abandoning her, Miranda failed to achieve 30% accuracy in target practice, could barely take down the schooners in her simulations, and now she was falling behind during squad runs and exercises. Panting hard with the rest of her squad disappearing over the steep rocky hill, Miranda tripped over a jagged rock and was sent face first onto the muddy ground.

"Why did you let me die Miranda." She heard Coco's voice behind her as she struggled to her feet. "You never listened to me and my dreams of getting out of here. Why didn't you help me escape? We could have gotten out with Hilda and Ange! Why didn't you help me escape?"

"You were just a means to an end to the squad and to me." Hilda cackled. "A shield to be thrown aside once it outlived its usefulness.

"Why couldn't have you been better?" Came the voice of a man. "I thought you'd be perfect, but you were a Norma. A filthy disgusting Norma!"

'Stop it! Go away!' Miranda wheezed, her heart ramming against her ribs as cold sweat ran down her face. It had been a very long time since she had thought about THAT man, who had cast her away just like everyone she had gotten close to. Pushing the voices out of her head, Miranda continued to move forward to catch up with her squad until she heard a voice at the target practice just over the cliff edge.

"She's a problem."

"Margret give it a rest."

"I'm just saying if Miranda dosen't get her shit together she'll get someone or herself killed." Peeking around the cliff edge Miranda saw Cal training with the third squad. Cal was busy shooting down his targets while Margret was standing off to the side lines with her gang of friends.

"She's been through hell and she doesn't need you making it worse." Cal argued, but Miranda could feel the doubt in his voice.

"Don't bullshit me." Margret scoffed. "None of us did this bad after being assigned as a pilot."

"You know what Margaret? You're right. There's a bunch of things Miranda can't do." said Cal and Miranda felt her heart shatter within her chest as her gaze cast down to the ground.

"Miranda honey, catch your breath you can do this." Ersha's voice called over the rocky hill and Miranda turned away, tears flooding her eyes as she climbed the hill to catch up with her squad. Would Cal abandon her too?


"You don't have to tell me twice." Margret laughed at Cal's statement. "She would have been better off on janitor duties." A few of the third squad cackled alongside her when Cal suddenly stood up and loomed over them.

"For instance, Miranda doesn't complain about everything." The group of girls went quiet and suddenly gulped at the icy glare Cal shot them. "Neither does she brag nonstop despite the fact she hasn't even bagged a Corvette yet. And she doesn't pick on recruits younger than her instead of working on her own garbage personality." Cal jabbed a finger in Margret's face who began sweat in apprehension. "But I'm going to help you with that last bit so here's my only warning. The next time I catch you or your gang picking on Miranda, you'll all wake up one morning inside a compost bin. The one Jasmine uses for Vulcans craps! GOT IT!"

"Ye…yes sir." They all meekly answered.


The hallways and cave corridors within the mountains of the Sanctuary were a lot busier than usual. Since the arrival of half of Endurant Harbor's residents last night, the place had become so crowded that some residents gave up their beds to the few elderly and children. And having more mouths to feed from the three fallen communities meant supplies would run short at a much quicker rate. In the conference room, Captain Jacob had called a meeting to sort out and plan their next move. In attendance around the long rectangular table was Tusk, Lucas, Lucia, Hosea, Major Malta and Dolton.

"I'm glad you all made it here safely." Captain Jacob greeted Malta and Dolton.

"Thank you, Captain." said Major Malta. "I managed to contact Colonel Daisuke before we arrived, and he informed that the boats containing the other half of the Harbor's residents have not yet arrived due to inclement weather."

"At least there were no casualties this time, thanks to Dolton." Lucas pointed out.

"I just wished I had thought to check sooner before getting back to the Harbor." Dolton glowered. "It was just sheer luck that I dropped my pen and saw the tracker on the underside of the trailer."

"Hey that fight was a nightmare for all of us." Lucia consoled him. "And I'm sure Dutch and his cronies enjoyed that little surprise you rigged up on the landing platform." Her words seemed to cheer him up as Dolton gave a tiny smirk.

"I just wish I had time to set up a camera. The old booby trap besides a fake booby trap gag never fails."

"Be that as it may," Jacob continued, "I've called you all here because as you all know with three of our bases gone, we are severely overcrowded." Around the table, everyone sat up and gave the Captain their full attention. "Hosea has checked our supplies and at this rate our food stock won't last us past the next winter."

"Which means we're now living on borrowed time." Lucas grimaced.

"The good news is Alektra plans to launch Libertus in roughly three weeks." Hosea spoke up. "So for now, our priority is to stay informed of what our enemy plans to do next."

"Tusk, I want you to perform reconnaissance on Emperor Julio." Jacob ordered. "After the way he was humiliated at the Dawn Pillar, he's bound to be sloppy and reveal something he'd normally keep secret. Dolton will provide you with whatever gear you'll need. Lucas, I want you, Lucia, and Dolton to accompany Tusk in case the NMB are still prowling the area. If everything looks quiet, return to base so we can prepare for Libertus."

"Just leave it to me." Tusk nodded. "I even know a good hiding spot thanks to Ange." As Tusk and the others stood up to leave, Jacob came over and laid his hands on the boy's shoulders. "And Tusk…I didn't have a chance to tell you this earlier…but I'm glad your back in the fight. Your parents would be immensely proud."

"Oh um…thanks Captain." Tusk said with a slight flush.

"You coming Tusk? I know you're missing your girlfriend but let's get a move on." Lucia joked by the door.

"Whatever you, buttercup." Tusk snarked back, eliciting a snicker from Dolton.

"Don't you start with that!" Lucia grumbled as she turned beet red. As the conference room door closed behind them, Jacob's attention lingered on Lucas. Ever since he returned, the young man had been in a mood that worried him. While less vocal about his opposition to letting Cal pilot Siegfried, something had broken in Lucas. As if all his hopes had been drained out of him. For now, his performance hadn't suffered so Jacob put it on the back burner in favor of more pressing issues.

"Major, I want you to assemble a team for supply runs. We'll need all hands-on deck with this many mouths to feed."

"Understood." Malta nodded. "I'll also speak with Finn about establishing a new team of hunters. Some fresh meat would be good for morale. Before that though I have to ask…have you had any results back from the blood samples we took from the Male Norma?" Jacob and Hosea looked at each other apprehensively.

"Not yet." Hosea told her. "Attending to the medical needs of the refugees have taken precedence. Once we can spare the time and manpower we'll update you." Malta's lip thinned in frustration but she saluted and left without further argument. Jacob felt relieved and he sank back into his chair. The last thing he needed was Malta's personal feelings towards Cal to cause trouble. Especially if his theory on Cal's lineage turned out to be true which would make matters even more complicated.

"With luck we'll find out just how Julio's right-hand woman knew of Cal's identity." Hosea hoped. "Though I do question why you chose Tusk over Lucas. I know we need his help here but Lucas is practically your protégé."

"And that's exactly why I sent Tusk instead." Jacob admitted. "You saw that anger and rage Cal carried towards Dutch Villson. Well Lucas has been carrying that same rage within him for over 10 years. I worry if I sent him to Misurugi on his own, he'd let it cloud his judgement and do something that would get him killed. Another thing that worries me is Malta. As much as we rely on her, I worry she and Jasmine will lock heads when it comes to Cal."

"It was a terrible mess having the boy and her in close proximity, but it was bound to happen eventually." said Hosea. "I just hope Jasmine is willing to put her loyalty to Alektra aside if your suspicions about her are correct. From what you told me, she's not the same young woman we used to know."

'Indeed.' Jacob admitted as he leaned back. From their short reunion, he could see Jasmine was still the same levelheaded yet passionate woman he had known all those years ago. But Alektra was another matter. The failure of the first Libertus had hung over all their heads but when they had told Cal about the whole truth of the world, something about the way Alektra told the story seemed a little too practiced and rehearsed. Almost as if she had in mind a specific goal for Cal that went beyond motivation and more like molding. And then there was the princess. All of Libertus was dependent on her and while Jacob didn't deny she could use some discipline, the methods Jill used was more akin to breaking her spirit.

Well, hopefully Jasmine and Maggie would be able to provide a balance to whatever Jill was planning. He had a feeling those two youngsters would need it. 'How would you handle this, Zolton?' he wondered. 'Life was a lot simpler back in the good old days.'


(20 years ago)

All inside the cave, Norma hurried to clear the way as the gunship with its escort Skyhooks passed through the entrance. Once it landed, the boarding ramp descended, and the emerging scout team of the Ancient Folk emerged to applause. At the head of the welcoming party, a beautiful young woman with shoulder length blonde hair and dressed in a white uniform came up to greet them.

"Welcome back corporal Jacob. Sargent Istvan." Commander Jasmine greeted them. "Congratulations, Captain Zolton just informed me of your find."

"Well, I can't claim all the credit." Jacob admitted as he gestured to his best friend. "Truth is, Istvan here was the one who found that Archipelago further from the landscape I discovered a few days ago."

"Really?" Jasmine smirked. "Was the entire island chain shaped like Vanessa's chest."

"Oh ha ha ha!" Istvan rolled his eyes. Despite himself, Jacob couldn't help but smirk as well. Jasmine was a no-nonsense Commander who wouldn't hesitate to put anyone who stepped out of line in their place. But she could also be warm and even playful if the situation would allow it.

"Well in any case it's good news." Jasmine remarked. "Now that the Ancient Folk have found a place to establish a base near Arzenal we'll be able to correlate our efforts more effectively. And I'm sure my girls will enjoy having the company. Maybe now they'll stop pestering me about the next time you all come around."

"I'm sure my comrades will be more than willing to come visit on their off time." Jacob agreed. "Speaking of which, has Captain Zoltan discussed our next step in the plan?"

"As a matter of fact, he has. We'll be discussing it later. In the meantime, you're to remain here. Something else has…come up and he wants you to be here so you can be briefed as well."

"Understood. We leave ourselves under your command." said Istvan and the two saluted and Jasmine walked away though Jacob couldn't help but linger his gaze on the way she moved. "Alright buddy." Istvan grinned. "This could be your big chance."

"Keep it up and you'll be going for an early cold bath, in sea." Jacob warned.

"Hey I'm just saying if you don't hurry up someone else is going to fly in and snatch Jasmine up." Though Istvan could be annoying at times, Jacob had to admit he was right. He had never met a woman like Commander Jasmine. Brave, passionate, fearless, but also kind, warm, and welcoming. Still, he was just a Corporal. The gap between them was just too far. If he really wanted to stand by her side then it would have to be as equals.

"Hey watch it!" someone yelled.

"I…I I'm sorry. It…it was an accident I swear." Both Istvan and Jacob turned to the disturbance where three of the other bulky members of their recon team were crowded around a thin, lank figure that they both recognized as Randall. Due to being physically unfit for combat duty, Randall had been assigned to maintenance and logistics. However, as the Ancient Folk had lived in a state of constant warfare ever since Embryo took over, anyone not assigned to front line duty by the age of 15 was often treated with disdain. And unfortunately for Randall, his meek demeanor only made him an even bigger target.

"So you think just because you don't pull your weight you can get sloppy?" One of the soldiers mocked.

"No..I…I mean." Randall stuttered.

"You mean what, twerp?" Another asked.

"I think he's got a bad circuit." The third laughed. "Maybe if we smack him around like a broken radio he'll work better." That was it. Jacob was about to bark an order when Istvan suddenly ran forward first, putting himself between Randall and the three bullies.

"Hey, back off assholes!" Istvan threatened them. "He's just a kid!"

"Well look who it is!" The leader glowered. "Captain Zolton favorite lapdog."

"Better that than looking like one." Istvan countered.

"What was that?"

"You think your hot shit you little punk?! Just you wait until Siegfried it built, we'll be the one's piloting it, not your sorry ass."

"I'm not sure your big ass will even fit in the cockpit." Istvan retorted.

"I say we beat some respect into them both."

"Oh is that so?" A new voice asked. From out of a nearby corridor, a group of Norma appeared with none other than Vanessa at their head. With her green eyes, gentle features, and long brown hair; Vanessa served as a mother figure for the younger kids sent to Arzenal. But now she was shooting a look at the three recon members that could make a DRAGON pause. "You're pretty brave when you have numbers on your side. So what are you going to do when YOU'RE outnumbered." The three men looked to the Norma and back to Istvan and Randall before backing away.

"We'll deal with you two later." One promised.

"Three." Jacob corrected as he to stepped in to protect Randall, the gang got the message and backed off.

"You okay Randall?" Istvan asked.

"Yeah." He nodded. "Thanks Istvan."

"Hey don't mention it. You came up through basics with the other young recruits, so regardless of your rank, your one of us, so if anyone messes with you, they mess with us."

"I have to admit." Vanessa said. "That was pretty brave what you did, standing up for Randall." Istvan grinned and leaned in towards her.

"Oh yeah?" He asked. "Well if you'd like I could show you just how else I'm amazing." Immediately, Vanessa's face grew a scowl of annoyance.

"And now it's gone." She said as she walked away. Istvan, however, simply neatened up his hair a bit and went after her as she vanished down a nearby hallway. 'That guy never knows when to quit.' Jacob mused as he turned back to Randall.

"Don't let them get to you." He told the young mechanic. "They're just jealous that you get to spend more time here with the Norma than they do. And if that scene was any indication, the ladies definitely prefer you over them."

"It's only 'cause I'm usually the only guy around." He sulked. "At least with you and Istvan around they'll leave me alone for few minutes." As Randall resumed his work on the vehicles, Jacob never would have thought having an island full of girls all to yourself would be considered a problem. But he guessed for a quiet kid like Randall it could get uncomfortable at times. Suddenly, from down the corridor Istvan and Vanessa had just vanished, a sudden shriek of shock and rage erupted. 'Here we go again.' Jacob thought as Istvan ran for his life, followed by Vanessa who was swinging a broom handle at him like a longsword.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" She shrieked. For such a kind woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a saber-toothed tiger when enraged.

'I'm sorry! I swear it was an accident!" Istvan yelped as he ducked swing after swing.

"So where do you think he landed this time?" One of Vanessa's friends asked. By this point, it was all routine for them.


(Present)

The second week of April was blossoming with bright blue sunny skies and Inspector Emma couldn't help but open her parlor windows to tempt in the cool fresh air. She had always been one for strict rules and guidelines with the Norma, but on days like these she could allow herself to relax and enjoy the company of her personal bodyguard inside her villa. Especially with the sumptuous meal Momoka had prepared for them. If she had bothered to look straight down however, she would have shrieked in dismay at the sight of Cal lying right in the middle of the flower bed beneath the window. It wasn't the first time he had used this little hiding spot. And neither the Inspector nor Corporal Porkchop had managed to catch him yet. Plus, it was the one place where he could get away from the other residents of Arzenal and just take a moment to rest and gather his thoughts. Especially since it allowed him to eavesdrop on any interesting conversations. He just wished he could have had the chance to sneak a bite from the steaks he could hear Momoka grilling inside the kitchen.

"I'm surprised the committee has taken this long to sign your request forms to upgrade Arzenal's defenses." Emma's voice floated out of the window. "But aren't you afraid the GF-54 models you choose to replace the old artillery guns are too dangerous to be in the hands of the Norma?"

"All weapons are dangerous, no matter who has their hands on them." Corp Lawrence pointed out. "And we don't want a repeat of the category 5 attack. It's my job to make sure you're protected so I think it's worth the risk."

"Oh…well I suppose you're right." Emma flustered and Cal rolled his eyes as he imagined her blush. Finally, they brought up the subject Cal had anticipated. "Have you heard from the news that the young Emperor Julio has lost his eye permanently after the terrorists attack him? I've questioned Ange and Hilda about their involvment, but they've insisted they never met nor spoke with any terrorists." Her voice dropped to a whisper and Cal had to strain to make it out. "I'll question the maid soon. We have to build trust with her and see if the stories match up. I do find it very odd that Cal managed to bring Ange and Hilda back without running into those terrorists. Or so he claims."

"It is strange." Corporal Lawrance agreed. "But I doubt any of them are involved with such people. If they were they would have run off rather than come back here."

"But what about the bruises and marks on his body?" Inspector Bronson pressed on. "He says he got them from the girls when they fought back but I can't shake the feeling that he's lying. Even if they ganged up on him, he shouldn't have had that much trouble with them. Come to think of it, he has been acting strange as of late. He hasn't sexually harassed me once since he returned from his search. Not that I miss it of course but it's still strange." Cal held in the effort not to snort. The Inspector was smarter than he gave her credit for but still nowhere near as smart as she thought she was.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Lawrence assured. "And don't worry. If I catch him coming on to you, I'll wring the little twerp's neck."

"Thank you Corporal." Emma said. "Having you around is a blessing. In more ways than one."

'Looks like it's still quiet' Cal supposed. Though Scarlett, Salia, and even Jasmine had assured him that after the beating Cal had given him, it would be a while before Dutch was a threat. Especially considering how the world leaders and even Embryo were bound to be furious with him after his string of failures over the previous week. But Cal couldn't afford to just sit around and rest. The moment he let his guard down, he just knew Dutch or Blackadder or someone would launch a surprise attack just like they did on his island home. Only this time he'd have a lot more to risk losing.

"Your meal is ready." Cal heard Momoka call from inside from the kitchen. "I've prepared a fillet mignon in a red wine butter sauce, with white asparagus and red roasted garlic potatoes." The temptation of the meal's aroma was overpowering, but he had lingered here long enough and doubted they'd say anything else. He rolled over cautiously on his front and raised himself up on his knees and elbows, preparing to crawl out from under the window when in an instant his spine ran cold as if ice water had been poured down his back. The sky began to turn dark as a familiar icy fog rolled in around him and across the villa's lawn, a slender figure with long white hair billowing in the fog smirked at him.

"Blackadder!" Cal yelled as he jumped up ready to charge when the top of his head collided with the open windowsill. The resulting crash made the Inspector and Momoka cry out as the maid dropped the plates she was carrying to smash on the floor. With his head feeling like it had been split down the middle, Cal looked up through his streaming vision when so where he saw Blackadder when two massive hands reached down and yanked him to his feet.

"You!" the Corporal snarled. "What are you doing here?!"

"Get…off…me!" Cal gasped, yanking free of the larger man's grip. Cal stumbled through the flower bed and frantically searched the area but the image of Blackadder had vanished. He had just barely stumbled back onto the grassy lawn when Emma and the Corporal came running out the back door.

"Hold it right there you!" Emma snapped. "Why were you lurking under the window? And I want a satisfactory answer or I'll go straight to the Commander!"

"I was looking for a place to nap." Cal said distractedly, still expecting his clone to reappear.

"Don't give me that!" Emma scolded. "You were trying to steal our food weren't you. Yes that's definitely it. Your gluttony is the only thing that surpasses your perversion."

"Whatever." Cal sneered. "Oh and I'd think twice before telling the Commander. Not unless you want everyone to know about your…'collection.' Before they could call him back, Cal turned and stormed off towards the entrance to the stairwell. He was in trouble now and he knew it, but he did not care very much. Blackadder was spying on him again. But what did he want? And how was he able to sneak into someone's mind like that? So many questions bombarded Cal's brain that his throbbing head began to hurt even more.

'Damn it I'm sick of these stupid games!' He cursed to himself. 'If you want me then come and get me already so we can end this!'


Though thoroughly annoyed at him, Emma also felt a sense of unease as she watched Cal run off. She had never seen disdain in his eyes like that before. "I'm so sorry, I should have been more careful." Momoka said as they came back in. While she and the Corporal were dealing with Cal, Momoka had managed to put the shattered plates back together with her Mana and was now cleaning up the food she had spilled.

"It's fine, we all got a shock." Emma assured her. Though the maid assisted the two Norma in escaping, Emma couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl. 'Poor thing, she's been through enough already.' She thought. It also made her feel a bit guilty that she was building trust just to trick her into revealing information but Emma had her duty and she would see it through to the end like a good soldier.

"I don't know what that little punk's problem is but he's really asking for it now. " Corporal Lawrance grumbled before looking at Emma curiously. "What did he mean about your 'collection?'"

"Nothing." Emma said, the heat rising in her cheeks. "He's just telling lies again. You know what that little pervert is like." If anyone ever found out about the Perolina collection in her closet, she would personally strangle Cal herself.


With a loud gasp, Hilda raised her head and found herself back in the cell she shared with Ange who was looking at her in annoyance. "Another nightmare? It's bad enough sharing the same room as you let alone hearing you mutter in your sleep." Hilda was about to argue back but instantly realized something was wrong.

"Ange…what's that around your neck?" Before she could answer, the noose around Ange's neck drew taunt and she was jerked out of the cell and into the darkened hallway. Without thinking or hesitating, Hilda tore from her bunk and out the open door. "Ange! Ange where are you?!" Hilda called out, but only choked cries answered her. With no other lead, Hilda hurried towards them until a familiar voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Why did you bother coming back?" From out of the shadows stepped an older woman with a little girl by her hip, both with hair the same shade as Hilda's. "I was happier without you. Why? Why did I have to give birth to a beast like you?"

"No, you're not real." Hilda tried to push past them only to be stopped by another face from her past. It was Zola with her arms around Rosalie and Chris.

"I thought I taught you better." Zola said with great disappointment while Rosalie and Chris shot scornful looks at Hilda. "To look out for your girls. But you only looked out for yourself. You know, I didn't mind protecting you. After all, you gave me what I wanted, to forget the cruelty I suffered at the hands of one human. But I always saw my end through and never went back on it."

"All you did is use us for your dirty little games, you traitor." Chris hissed.

"We were nothing but your toys to throw away." Rosalie growled. "Were we that meaningless to you that you abandoned us without a second thought? Zola never would have treated us like that."

"You don't understand…" Hilda tried to say when her she heard quiet sobbing. She turned and standing four feet from her was Miranda who was looking up at her with tears spilling over from her bloodshot eyes.

"You abandoned us." The young recruit's voice croaked. "I was nothing but a shield to be crafted and used by you until I outlived my usefulness. I trusted you and you left me like Coco did!"

"Miranda. I…I just wanted you to stand on your own." She tried to reach out before the young recruit turned to vaper in front of her very eyes and Hilda was suddenly paralyzed with fear as a strange icy fog rolled in around her. When it cleared, the scenery had changed and she was back in Misurugi. And from the gallows above her, dangling motionless, Ange corpse swung in the wind by the hangman's noose. And right beneath the princess was Cal who was down on his knees, his body wrapped in so many chains only his head poked out.

"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!" The crowd chanted.

"No! Leave him alone!" Hilda shouted as she ran towards Cal when someone powerful grabbed her from behind and held a knife to her throat.

"You couldn't save your precious Captain from herself and now you can't even save that little freak." Jadis cackled in Hilda's ear as Ange's brother stepped forward.

"I Holy Emperor Julio sentence this abomination to death." Beside him, Dutch Villson drew a sword hung from inside his Roma coat and advanced towards him.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time." He laughed, his orange eyes flaming in madness.

"Noooo! Cal! Get away from him!" Hilda screamed as she continued to struggle.

"No need to worry." Jadis whispered in his ears. "You'll join him soon enough." A flash of light on metal and Hilda's heart froze in her chest and the blade sliced cleanly through Cal's neck, sending his head spinning. It landed face up before her and the last thing she saw was his eyes open, the sclera black as night and his slit pupils staring up at her.


From over on her bunk, Ange groaned in boredom. Solitary had now turned out to be the worst thing about Arzenal. Eating nothing but stale bread and water three times a day. No showers which left her feeling dirty and greasy. But worst of all was the boredom. Nothing to do all day but dwindle on your thoughts. She thought maybe she could pass the time by talking with Hilda, but the redhead had spent most of the last few days sleeping. Ange guessed her and Cal's ordeal with that Dutch Vilson guy had really taken a lot out of her. Listening to the tapping of rain outside their cell window, Ange glanced over to where Hilda lay beneath her thin scratchy blanket when she started to twitch and mutter once again.

"No, stop it! Don't hurt him! Leave him alone! CAL!" With a tremendous shriek Hilda, launched up from her bunk, heaving and sweating.

"What's wrong?!" Ange asked. "Same nightmare about Cal?" Hilda gritted her teeth and turned her face to the wall. "Aw, are your true feelings for him finally coming to the surface?" Ange teased.

"What! As if!" Hilda snapped defensively, burying her face in one hand.

"Why don't you tell me what's on your mind then? Come on, I won't tell."

"It's just…with everything that happened with Mama, I thought things would be different." Finally with the stress of bottling everything in, Hilda told Ange all that had transpired with her mother and the replacement daughter she named after her, then about the cops that jumped her. "I thought she'd still love me even though I'm a Norma. Zola was right, the humans only see us as disposable trash." Hilda would have cried but after her complete emotional breakdown back in that cave with Cal, she refused to waste her emotions on those who discarded her.

"Well, you're not alone in that regards. Guess we both have disappointing families." Ange supposed which made Hilda give a faint smile. "So what changed your mind to keep on living."

"It was all because of Cal. When I was at my lowest, he was there for me, even after all these months when I've treated him like shit. God it's so annoying at times but he's always been like this since the first day I met him. At first I hated his guts. I always tried to convince myself that no one could ever be that selfless and kind. I guess it's why Zola started to prefer him over me. In some ways, just him being here, I started to see glimpses of the old Zola. And all because of him."

"Yeah, even when I first arrived, he didn't treat me any different than from any of you." Ange remembered, feeling of stab at guilt as she recalled her old self and how shitty she had treated Cal and the others.

"So what did your maid mean by you almost kissed him." Hilda suddenly asked with a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Oh shut it!" Ange scowled but Hilda wouldn't let up.

"Do you like him, like…THAT?"

"I don't know what you'd call it." Ange admitted. "But I guess I do have some sort of feelings towards him. Maybe not exactly love…but something." Hilda nodded lightly, the two girls finally sharing something in common. "Can I ask you something?" Ange asked. "What exactly happened to Zola? I didn't know her that long. And Scarlett or Cal don't talk about her much, though I know they think about her. What was she like before she turned into…well, you know." It was a solid minute of awkward silence until Hilda decided to tell Ange everything.

"I assume you saw the scars on her back?" Hilda supposed. Ange nodded. "Before Emma we had 3 other Inspectors and the first was the worst." Hilda bristled as she remembered Jadis's cruel hateful face. "The first two years I was here, me and the other kids barely got any sleep at night with that monster hanging around. Her name was Jadis, and she loved torturing any Norma who annoyed her. And Zola and Scarlett were her favorite toys." Ange grimaced as she imagined anyone going through the same ordeal she went through during her almost execution. "You see princess even when I was little, I had no hope. I see that now. Taken away from my Mama only to find out she never wanted me, seeing my role model reduced to a shadow of her former self, giving myself to her like a desperate whore for protection. And now I've lost everyone I could even consider a friend. I really have hit rock bottom, haven't I?"

"At least you have Cal and have people you can make up with." Ange told her in a low voice. Of course, she still had Tusk but he could be anywhere by now. "We've both been fools believing hope exists. The only thing that is real is this hellish place and the monsters we fight. It's so abhorrent it makes my blood boil" Ange's hands squeezed the edge of her bunk as she thought about her brother, her sister, and the crowd that chanted for her death. Feeling a change in the air, Hilda sat up and looked at Ange. "Those blind, ignorant, pigs. They blame all their problems on Norma, all because we can't use Mana. Is it so wrong to just be born different?" Her temper rising, Ange let out a frustrated groan as she ruffled her greasy hair. "When I think about how I use to be before I knew I was a Norma, I just wanna ram my face against a brick wall."

"Idiot." Hilda sniggered.

"You're right. I am an idiot. This world is hell. And I just didn't want to see it until it smacked me in the face." Ange stared through the bars of their cell. "And for that, I'm not going to stand by and take it anymore."

"What are you getting at now Miss High and Mighty?" Hilda asked. Ange looked back at Hilda and there was a hungry, determined glint in her eyes.


As evening fell, Jasmine busied herself with taking inventory for the next supply shipment. Though the girls were always big help, she had hoped that Cal would come around to work a shift. Instead, ever since he had gotten back, he had barely spent any time recovering from his ordeal on the outside and pushed himself harder than ever. By her side Vulcan sensed her worry and whined. "I know boy." She sighed as she stroked his head. "Cal's not in a very good place at the moment." Why did Jill and Jacob have to go and tell him the horrible truth about Embryo and this world? The boy had enough to worry about already with Dutch and now Embryo had made a clone of him? Just what was that bastard planning? What did he even want with Cal anyway?

Before she could lock up the last shutter gate, she heard familiar heavy footsteps and rushed out to see Cal strutting towards one of the vending machines, his knuckles red and raw from hitting the bag. "Hey Jasmine!" he called. "I missed supper at the cafeteria. Can you hold off on closing for a few seconds?"

"For you hon, sure." The elder Norma smiled. "Are you taking care of yourself."

"Yeah. I'm just really tired." Well that was an understatement. From what she could see he still had the shadows of the beating he had gotten from Dutch and his cronies. As Cal pulled a hamburger from the machine, Jasmine took something out of her pocket and handed it to Cal. "What's this?" He asked.

"It's the keyring you gave Coco." Cal's eyes filled with stunned realization and then were full of sorrow. "Sometimes scrapped Para-mail wash up on the shore and reefs. While you were gone, her Glaive just happened to turn up and they found it amongst the wreckage."

"I…thank you." Cal muttered. "Coco always adored this. If I hadn't encouraged her dream to be part of the first squad, she'd still be alive."

"It's terrible what happened to her, but us Norma all have to face the possibility of death. But maybe you can give it to someone else and give them hope for a better future. That's what your working so hard for right."

"Right." Cal grimaced as his jaw set and his fingers clenched around the key ring. "Once it's finished, No one else will die like she did. And I'll make sure that those who put us here pay with interest."

"But that's not the real reason why you're pushing yourself so hard is it?" Jasmine frowned. "This is about Dutch isn't it?"

"You're damn right it is." Cal growled. "And not just him, but this entire world and the bastards behind it all. Especially that Embryo guy. I don't care how powerful he is, they're all gonna pay!"


"I'm going to destroy this world." Ange said with a satisfied grin. "Once I get Villkiss back, I'll make those who humiliated me pay."

"Are you kidding me?" Hilda gawked. "We're thousands of miles from the mainland. You'll run out of fuel before you make it that far."

"Then I'll just build an upgrade for Villkiss or a new machine that can get me that far."

"What about food and supplies?"

"Simple, I'll just find some across the islands or steal it."

"You can't be serious."

"Oh you better believe I am." Ange raised herself off her bunk and gazed out through the bars of their cell, her hands shaking with anger as she gripped the iron.


"Cal I understand you're angry." Jasmine said deeply disturbed. "But remember what Gaz told you in his letter. He wouldn't have wanted you to go down this path. You know that."

"No Jasmine I don't." said Cal resentfully. "And I don't know what he would have wanted, or if he could have ever loved me like his real child, because he's dead! Just like Coco, Naomi and Zola. It's all because of them!"


"This world has hurt me, shamed me, and betrayed me too many times." Ange vowed. "It's time for some payback. And the world has it coming"

"And as long as they're out there we'll never be free." Cal glowered. "Jill was right. This is war and I don't care how many I have to kill. I won't stop until they're all dead and none can hurt us ever again!"

"Jeez Princess." Hilda groaned. "If you're that pissed all you have to do is say it." Ange laughed, finally feeling relief that someone understood.

"Alright, I'm so pissed off that I'm gonna destroy this world. I'm sure Cal and a few other here feel the same don't you think?"

"Count me in." Hilda agreed. "There's a few in this world I'd like to destroy to." she said with an evil smirk.

"Oh yeah, like who?"

"I think I'll start with that bitch Jadis."


Once Cal had gone Jasmine hid behind one of the walls at the entrance to the mall and choked back stinging tears. It was more than her heart could take seeing Cal like this. He was no longer the naïve kind, energetic young man she had once known. "I'm sorry Gaz. You always feared this would happen to him." Jasmine whispered. By her side, Vulcan leaned against her hip, the last trace of Gaz there was. Jasmine knelt down and hugged him hard as if he was the only thing holding her together. Meanwhile, a pair of green eyes had watched the entire scene.

The grey rain clouds and weather eventually began to clear up as the sky turned the bright red orange of dusk. Cal had rented a private room to work on his battle plans with third squad for tomorrow, allowing Salia to finish in their room. Cal was only half finished but decided to give his report to the commander now. Jill however was not there, so he handed it to the Command Staff. They talked for a short while but Cal did not answer their questions about where he had been or the injuries he sustained. Afterwards, he decided to take a stroll outside to decompress though, Dutch's face refused to fade from his mind no matter how hard he tried. He was so out of focus he didn't realize until he bumped into a tombstone that he had reached Arzenal's graveyard. He wandered down the rows until finally, he arrived at Naomi's grave. Usually coming here helped clear his mind when he was stressed out but not now.

"I guessed you'd be here." Cal looked up to see Ersha's kind face. "But it's not Naomi you're thinking of right now is it?"

"He's out there Ersha." Cal answered. "And I can't rest knowing that bastard is free to do whatever he wants while I'm stuck here waiting." Ersha slowly approached him and hugged him from behind.

"It's awful what he did to you. Just thinking about it makes me want to give him a triple Total In-Ersha." Despite himself, Cal couldn't help smirking a bit at the thought of Dutch getting his ass handed to him by Ersha. "But you're not alone. I'm here for you. I…I love you Cal. And I missed you so much when you were gone. Promise me you won't leave us again." In an instant, Cal's mind went blank. All the anger, frustration and helplessness faded away until all he felt was Ersha's warmth and the pressure of her ample breasts pushing against his back.

"Ersha…I…" he tried to say. Cal turned around so he could look her in her green eyes that seemed to swallow him whole, her long pink hair billowing around him like a silky cloud and felt himself being pulled closer to her.

'And once I take care of you once and for all, I'll go after the Princess next.' That iron hard voice repeated. 'And then, I'm going to drag every Norma at Arzenal who so much as smiled at you back to the mainland so they can die long and slow.'

The conflicting emotions were too much, and Cal pulled bakc as Ersha's eyes widened in hurt and confusion. "I'm sorry…I…I can't…"

"Cal?" Ersha's lip trembled, her eyes glazed with tears as he kept her at arm's length by the shoulders.

"I…I…I…" He couldn't even look at her. "I care about you so much…I care about all of you but…I can't be with you or share those feelings I once felt for Naomi. Not with the danger I pose just being around you."

"I though you said you weren't afraid of him anymore?"

"I'm not." Cal's voice grew. "I don't care what he does to me. But Dutch is after me alone and if he knew how much I…just think how much danger you'll be in if we keep this up. He'll find out. He'll try and get to me through you. Or worse he'll…"

"What if I don't care?" Ersha asked.

"I care!" said Cal. "How do you think I'd feel if this was your grave…and it was my fault?" Ersha looked away, over the bright orange sky, the same color it was that day he gave her Naomi's necklace.

"I never really gave up on you," she confessed. "Not really. I always hoped you'd be able to love me like you did her." She smiled as her eyes cast to Naomi's grave. "But when the time comes for us to fight back against the humans, I will never leave your side, that's a promise. Whatever comes our way, we will all be together." She gave him that same blazing look he loved so much about her as she hugged him tightly. And Cal knew that at that moment she understood and accepted his decision. Because she would not have expected anything less of him. 'Once the fighting is done, maybe then you'll open your heart to me.' Ersha hoped. 'Until then I'll always be waiting for you.'


After saying goodnight to Ersha, Cal returned to his rental to finish drawing up his strategies for tomorrow but found that his mind kept wandering. It was almost midnight and Cal was about to call it a night when someone knocked at the door. To Cal's surprise it was Chris who quickly stepped in and shut the door behind her. "Ersha said I'd find you hear, how's the work coming along?" She asked.

"I just finished." Cal yawned. "What brings you here at this time of night? Isn't Rosalie waiting for you?"

"She wasn't in a mood tonight. So, I thought I'd help you out since you've been working yourself to death lately."

"Oh sure." To his surprise, Chris actually turned out to be a big help. Despite her low pay-out from battles she had a surprisingly keen grasp of tactics. "You'd make a good Captain." Cal complimented her. "You a bookworm like Salia or did someone teach you that?"

"I learned it from Hilda." She scowled bitterly. "When it was just her, me, Rosalie and Miranda; I always tried to help in making us better. Closer. But she wanted nothing to do with us. We were just her toys until she got bored of us."

"Look, it's not my place to speak for Hilda." Cal said a little exhausted. "But when she gets out of punishment it might be good for all you to hash things out. Just give her and Ange a chance to explain."

"Why should I?" Chris fumed as she plopped down on the left side bunk. "Hilda left without even saying a word. She never saw us as friends." Cal could tell most of the squad weren't letting this go easily. But they would have to eventually hash things out before Libertus began if they were to make it through. Shutting his notebook, Cal got up from his chair but was caught off guard when Chris hugged him from behind.

"Chris?"

"Promise me Cal…Promise me you won't abandon us…that you won't leave me behind." Chris sniffed. "I don't want anyone to leave me again. You or Rosalie." Cal turned and hugged Chris back. He had noticed when talking with Rosalie the love bites all over her neck and chest. Chris had obviously gotten much more aggressive and possessive in bed lately. And it seemed it was a mask for her growing anxiety.

"You know I'd never do that." Cal assured her when Chris suddenly pushed him onto one of the beds and climbed on top of him.

"Please just hold me, just for tonight." Chris half-sobbed into his chest. Cal wanted to stop her, but Chris was so dominating and in such a fragile state, he knew refusing her advances would make her worse. So he simply pulled her closer to him and allowed her to have his way with him.


Hajimari no hikari kilari kirari

Owari no hikari lulala rira

Kaesan el ragna sunadokei wo

Toki wa afuren lulala rira.

Ikuoku amata no inochi no honou

Sururi ochite wa hoshi ni

Nagare nagarete wa utsukushiku

Mata seitoshi no yurikago de yawaku awadatsu.

The unearthly song rolled and echoed off the stone walls of Arzenal, carrying its way through everyone's rooms, the hangers, and outside to the saunas where Ersha and Vivian were relaxing and staring up into the night sky. Others that were trying to sleep did their best to ignore Ange as best they could. To most however, it was uplifting and beautiful that left some jealous of her voice.

Utae utae ima futatsu no negai wa

Tsuyoku tsuyoku ten no onjiki to kirameku

Towa wo kataran.

Terase yo el ragna urei zenbu

Kururi kururi to lulala rira.

"Cal, you can't keep ignoring me." An emotionless cold voice hissed out from the depths of Cal's sleep. Cal opened his eyes and once again found himself in the void of icy mist.

"Oh it's you." He grimaced. "What do you want this time?" The mist parted, and Blackadder stood before him.

"You certainly seem more confident than usual." His clone smirked.

"Yeah well, the boogeyman isn't so scary once you see him for what he is. Now tell me what you want or piss off!" Blackadder frowned and removed his sunglasses, his slit sky blue eyes staring into Cal's soul.

"Heed my warning brother, for your own sake. Join me and you and those you care about will not come to harm."

"I got a better idea!" Cal growled as he lunged for the intruder, only to pass through Blackadder as if he were no more than the surrounding mist.

"You can't win brother. Not against me. Not against Dutch. And certainly not against my Master."

"Shut up! Shut up!" Cal thew punch after punch but they all just harmlessly passed through Blackadder's face until Cal was heaving for breath.

"You've exhausted yourself brother." Blackadder mocked as he loomed over Cal. "Why don't you take a rest for a while and let me do the fighting for you."

"No! Get away!" Cal yelled as he continued to fight back. He could feel his strength fading and once it was gone, this time Blackadder would take him. Until he heard that strange, beautiful singing.

Kanashimi yorokobi doukoku sae mo

Gin no kawa kara mireba

Subete wa ittoki no yume hanabi

Tada kami no me no mabata ki ni kiete kaeran.

Hibike hibike ima arubeki sugata e

Awaku awaku kako no denshou aru ga mama

Towa wo inoran.

Utae utae ima futatsu no negai wa

Tsuyoku tsuyoku ten no konjiki to kirameku

Towa wo kataran towa e to.

Suddenly, Blackadder vanished while the icy void became warm and safe. It was as if an angel had heard his prayers and had come down to chase the nightmare away. And when he awoke the next day, Cal felt more refreshed and rested than he had felt in a long time.


Across the Capital of Misurugi the streets were practically deserted. After the fiasco of the terrorists sabotaging the former Princess Angelise's execution, the citizens of Misurugi, despite Emperor Julio's reassurance, had barricaded themselves inside their homes, too afraid to walk the streets at night. As such, Riza Randog decided tonight would be the perfect chance to fulfill her mission. Stepping quietly across Julio's bedchamber wearing only a crimson silk robe, she slowly pushed open the doors to his open balcony as a gust of cool night air flowed into the room. Riza gazed out over the lights of the motionless city and up to where the Dawn Pillar stood so tall it blocked out even the stars themselves. A quick backwards glance and she confirmed Julio was still sleeping soundly despite the discomfort of his missing eye and the stress that his little sister was in an unexplained coma. Though she was regretful of the things she had done to get him in the palm of her hand, Riza would not be detained from her mission. Like all the false humans in their empty and false world, they had stolen what they had no right to take. The sins of their false god and his blind followers had been deferred long enough and their debt against her people would be paid soon enough.

Inside her robe pocket, Riza took out the small bottle of pink pill-like pellets and popped one into her mouth. The flowing Aura and energy swirled around inside her body and Riza noted that she would need to take another within a half-moon. After a final glance to ensure no one was watching, she stripped out of her robe and breathed a sigh of relief as her wings extended to their full length and she rose into the sky gracefully. Silent as a ghost, she flew across the castle grounds, over the treetops and up to the Dawn Pillar. Alighting on an outer balcony, Riza lightly stepped through the empty halls until at last she reached the control room. As per her request, the night his sister had discovered her secret, Julio had granted her the access codes she needed to open a singular and now it was time. She was just about to activate the console when a cruel hard iron voice spoke out of the darkness.

"I see. Those pills are how you emulate the Light of Mana." Riza whirled around and from her outstretched hand, prepared to fire the radiant energy ball she manifested, the crimson light revealing the Roma coated figure of Dutch Vilson.

"Now, now." He urged. "Let's not do anything hasty. I just wish to talk." As if Riza would fall for his tricks.

"This is all I have to say." She growled and fired a blast of Aura only for Dutch to raise a shield and deflect it easily. 'Foolish false human, your stolen power won't save you from me.' She vowed. Riza inhaled and prepared to screech when the human pressed something in his free hand and something burst overhead. Riza looked up in time to see the payload Dutch had attached to the ceiling discharge its contents as balls of red pepper rained down on her, the balls exploding into fine red powder that burned her eyes and seared her nose and lungs. Riza fell to her knees coughing and clawing at her burning eyes when what felt like dozens of metal wires wrapped around her so tight it dug into her flesh. Bound, blinded and suffocating; Riza fell to the floor, only vaguely aware of Duch's footsteps approaching her.

"Quiet." He warned as she felt him lift her up and whisper into her ear from behind. "So long as I keep your mouth pointed away from me, you can't use the one weapon even I couldn't defend against. Don't worry, I won't kill you unless you force me to. Now then, I believe we can help each other out. Will you listen to my proposal?"

"Go to hell." Riza's words croaked out.

"Hell?" Dutch growled as he wrapped his arm around her throat and squeezed to near crushing levels. "Hell is a place I live in every day. Ever since I was born I've known nothing BUT Hell! And if you don't cooperate, I'll make you wish you were in Hell! Do you understand?" His grip loosened and Riza gagged and coughed from the pepper that continued to sear her lungs.

"What do you want?" She wheezed.

"I overheard your conversation with that royal brat Julio about opening a singular point." Dutch told her. "We both have a common nuisance to deal with when it comes to Arzenal, and it's about time they and the Male Norma are wiped off the face of this earth." This human had to be out of his mind. Was he really crazy enough to betray his master? "And don't even think about running away or betraying me. I have footage of the night you drugged the second Imperial princess. Cross me and there won't be a safe place anywhere for you. Do we have a deal?" As if she had a choice. In the end, it changed nothing for her or her objectives. She'd deal with him after the Norma were dealt with.

"Fine." Riza muttered. Finally, her restraints were released, and a wet towel was tossed across her body.

"Use that to clean yourself off." Dutch told her. "And don't even think about telling your own superiors about me. I have a hidden camera recording everything in here." As she wiped the irritants from her eyes and her vision began to clear, Riza looked up to the one who now held her in the palm of his hand.

"Why is someone like you doing this?" she demanded. "Why betray your own kind and your Master?"

"So I can finally put the past to rest and be free." Dutch said. Unknown to either of them, a pair of blue slit eyes were watching them from the darkness.


Across time and space itself, there are thousands of dimensions and unknown worlds like the World of Mana. In one particular, the landscape was covered in forests. Some were a healthy green, and others radiated with an unearthly purple light. And inside the endless sea of trees, islands of empty and crumbling cities stood like tombstones to a fallen civilization.

However, one city still hosted life. Built on top of a plateau overlooking a flowing river canyon, an ornate shrine placed upon a waterfall lined cliff overlooked this sole outpost of civilization. Deep inside this shine, a small figure sat behind a bamboo screen when someone knocked on the sliding wooden door to her chambers.

"Enter." The High Priestess answered. The door slid open and through the blinds she watched as a slender feminine figure knelt before her. "Salamandinay. Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Is it true?" the visitor asked. "Has Lizarda found a way to open a singular?"

"Yes, in 2 days hence at the stroke of dawn we attack." The High Priestess told her. "But I sense there is something troubling you."

"Yes High Priestess." Salamandinay confessed. "Is there really no way we can turn the Norma to our side? They have suffered as greatly as we have because of THAT man. Especially if the rumors of a resistance movement in their world are true. Surely it would be wiser to unite against a common enemy than waste our resources on a battle that need not be fought."

"I am afraid not." the High Priestess answered. "From Lizardia's intel; though the Norma have been rejected by the false humans, and the renegade humans might have rejected HIS ways, they are still HIS creations. The chance that they would side with their own kind regardless is too strong. With all that we have lost, you know we cannot waste any compassion on our enemies."

"I understand." Salamandinay said with a nod. "I shall have the Ryuu-Shin-Ki prepared for battle and go over our final battle plans with Naga and Kaname before we attack."

"What of the discord blizzard cannons?" The High Priestess asked. "Are they able to be equipped to the Ryuu-Shin-Ki for use in battle?"

"Unfortunately, no." Salamandinay said. "Kasumi still needs time to stabilize their power. But the discord phasers along with Soryugo and Hekiryugo should be more than enough to eliminate the Norma's military base. Once the Norma and their base are gone, the false humans will have no one to defend them. And our blessed mother will finally be returned."

"For Aura." The High Priestess nodded.

"For Aura." Salamandinay bowed.

TO BE CONTINUED…