Foreword: Living as fugitives on the run, what kind of lives does Elliot and Madoka lead as independent pilots with their own ISs? Read and find out!
Not canon to original storyline
A calm amidst the storm
Elliot blearily blinked away the sleep that still clung onto his eyes as he roused awake. The first thing he registered was a curtain of flawless black silk in his view and the warmth in his arms from his sleeping lover.
Elliot didn't need Hecate's feedback to know that last night was a wild one. The aches and stinging pain on his joints and skin were telling enough if the scent of sweat and sex blanketing the room was anything to went by.
Madoka wasn't spared from last night's passion. Her normally tidy hair was a mussed mess, splayed out in random directions like a fuzzball. The woman turned towards him, revealing her front where several small red rashes decorated her collarbones, neck and shoulders.
The sight of hickies on his lover's body aroused a wave of lust and possessiveness within the hybrid. Curt and dispassionate in public, once he got past her walls Madoka was quite the passionate lover in private and a big cuddly bug. It stood to reason that just like him she was starved of warmth in her childhood that they resorted to seeking it out and ended up finding it in each other.
Groaning from the aches and pain from last night, Elliot got off of bed and proceeded to the kitchen of their new hideout to make breakfast. Today was going to be a busy day again.
His barely discernable footsteps thudded imperceptibly on the wood floor, walking past the empty room that had been converted into a mission room. Through the slightly ajar door, a corkboard set up like an evidence board in a crime thriller stared back at him, the large map of North America stood out starkly against the sea of pictures of various locations and individuals.
'The ops finally lined up. Once we get the equipment, it's go time tonight.'
The kitchen went alive as Elliot got busy. The pan sizzled lively as he cooked bacon and eggs and set the carafe into the coffee machine.
Madoka soon shambled out into the kitchen wearing one of his t-shirts. The shirt hugged her figure well but left very little material to reach down than her hips. Miles of well-toned legs were bare to the world, showing a few scars from her rough life.
"Morning Mads. Coffee's going to be ready soon, so sit down and wait a while."
Madoka grumbled wordlessly, her hand came up to massage her shoulders. Her hair was a mess as she slumped over the dining table. Her worn state and grumpy attitude were an indication just how wild last night was.
Breakfast was soon done and the smell roused Madoka from her brief nap. Groggily the woman ate breakfast while washing it down with coffee. Unlike Chifuyu who preferred her coffee black and strong, her doppelganger enjoyed it more on the milder side accompanied by a little milk and sugar. It was one of the subtle differences that separated the sisters from each other, something he wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't walked this path with Madoka.
The two sat down for breakfast. Companionable silence settled between the lovers as they ate for two different reasons. Elliot opted to do so out of habit while Madoka was simply too worn to do anything else.
Midway through his meal, Elliot felt a gaze directed at his way. Looking towards the only other occupant in their home, he found himself the target of a very peeved glare from Chifuyu's doppelganger.
Raising a brow, his curiosity was piqued by her sudden vehemence, "What's up? What's with the frosty glare?"
Madoka continued glaring at him, the annoyance seeping out of her muddy reds didn't subside, "My back. You've done a lot last night to give me a sore back."
It took a bit of time for Elliot to catch up to what Madoka implied, but a sly grin came from the hybrid once he figured it out.
"You enjoyed it, didn't you? I heard you kept telling me not to stop last night even when I told you otherwise."
The frost in Madoka's glare kicked up a notch. The woman wasn't one to admit she was wrong, a similarity she shared with Chifuyu. She huffed disapprovingly, crossing her arms while she puffed her cheeks peevishly, "I'm not sleeping beside you tonight."
"Good. Because after tonight, we'll be lucky if we can even think about anything but sleep. We got work to do."
Recognition flashed across Madoka's face. Her lethargy disappeared as she sat up, alertness colored her eyes that were focused intently on him.
"About time. We've been sitting still for too long. What about the equipment?"
Elliot finished his breakfast and wiped his mouth, "Same as usual. We'll have to get it this afternoon and have it checked. Sergei told me that he's finally got all we need but you know how he is. Remember the first time we've met him?"
Madoka groaned and rubbed the back of her neck. "Don't remind me. I'd still haven't forgiven him for that stunt. Giving us old surplus stuff instead of top of the line because 'he doesn't trust us."
That particular memory drew a bemused chuckle from the hybrid. Their first interaction with who would become their most trusted dealer didn't start off on the best footing. Clearly Madoka still hadn't warmed up to the quirky Russian dealer.
Understandable. Considering the era they were in; crime was one of the few places where men could carve out their own empires when there were few legal means to make a respectable living while being a safe space for male comradeship without being censured or abused by arrogant females. Knowing this, governments had resorted to crack down on organized crime with a heavy hand, undoubtedly to court the female supremist groups that dominated political circles of various Western nations.
Elliot understood Sergei's initial distrust towards them. Coming in to his place with a female in tow wouldn't have made a good impression with him. All he cared about that time was getting someone in the underworld to supply them with whatever they could want or need. He was willing to earn his trust and his merchandise whatever way he could.
But Madoka didn't shared his sentiment. The miserly selection offered to them that time had infuriated her to the point she was about murder the man with his own guns had he not restrained her. He ended up having to render her unconscious before he could talk business with the Russian.
They took the equipment and did their op only to discovered that their kit had been less than adequate. Suffice to say that Sergei's idea of a 'test' made them very pissed, which prompted some very harsh words that made him reconsider their business arrangement.
Since then, the Russian had been a very reliable trader. Whatever they needed, he supplied to them without questions so long as it was paid in cold hard cash or small jobs. Any spoils they've 'acquired' from their operations, he'd buy it off of them for a good price. His underworld connections allowed them access to a worldwide network of black-market dealers, bankers, forgers and information brokers that kept them safe and supplied in their nomadic life while taking the fight to Phantom Task in the most damaging ways possible.
Elliot emptied his chocolate and rose from his seat with empty dishes, "Well, that's in the afternoon. In the meantime, how should we spend our morning? We've got plenty of time before the pickup."
Madoka got up and joined up by the sink, taking over the task of cleaning the dishes while he rinses them, "Hm…anything's better than staying at home all day. But with my back like this, I don't think I can go out today. No thanks to you."
The woman glared at him under her bangs, slight hate oozed out of her for his handiwork. An apologetic smirk came from the hybrid whom fully knew he was the cause of his lover's discomfort.
"I'll get the hot pack. You go lie down and I'll take care of your back."
Madoka dried her hands and went to the living room. Elliot drew out the hot pack and warmed it up with the microwave. A few minutes later he trudged into the living room with the hot pack, holding it with Hecate partially materialized by his arm.
His lover laid on her stomach on the couch and drew up her shirt. Her slender waist bore several hickies that were turning purple. Elliot tamped down his lust as he gingerly placed the hot pack on her back.
She grunted from the sharp spike of heat hitting her back. As the heat started working its magic, her body relaxed and a blissful moan escaped Madoka which sounded very sinful to the keyed-up hybrid.
As much as he wanted to go for a second time on the couch with Madoka, they still have an operation tonight. Tempting as it was to test his lover's resilience and willpower, tonight would be a very high stakes op that demanded their very best. Any disadvantage and weakness they bring would be a death sentence for them.
"Mmmm…..That's it…Can you massage my shoulders please? They're a bit stiff too."
Elliot sighed but complied. He drew Madoka's shirt further up and started working on her shoulders. Her lithe frame held quite a few knots that forced Elliot to put a bit more effort in his massage, even resorting to pressing on the knots with his elbow.
Madoka enjoyed this massage. As her muscles loosened and turned to putty in his hands, a string of moans and sighs came from the woman. It was making Elliot very hot and bothered as it brought back last night's debauchery.
Thankfully for his sanity, his lover was satisfied with his handiwork. He averted his eyes as Madoka did some stretches, finding her lithe frame bending in various ways a bit too distracting for his present state of mind.
"Mads, how about we visit the local mall? Get some things for the road after the op. We won't have a chance to do so after tonight."
Madoka groaned as she stretched her arms, "Good idea. Our lease's almost up so we're going to have to change places. Phantom Task would be looking very hard after our op tonight so we'll have to move quick."
Elliot nodded, "Agreed. Let's plan our next moves after tonight. What do you think about Europe?"
His lover raised an eyebrow, interest came over her. "If Phantom Task has a place there, then that's next on our list. We've been around the US for too long it's about time for a change in scenery."
"Then let's get moving then. We're burning daylight sitting around here."
Having their next plans decided, Both Elliot and Madoka went to their shared bedroom hand in hand and got changed. Tonight might potentially be their last night together, what with the risks every mission entailed despite their preparations. If they lived, it would be the extension of their current existence.
But for now, they could enjoy being a normal couple for a little while. To enjoy whatever little peace and sanity in this insane world.
The narrow stairway felt claustrophobic, further selling the appearance of a rundown building as the almost failing fluorescent light blinked intermittently, casting light on the flaking paint on the cracked walls. The two pilots went up the stairs, paying no attention to the dilapidation surrounding them.
They came upon a steel door which Elliot shoved open. Greeting them was a large room filled with large crates and containers. In the center of the room, rows of tables with various firearms ranging from civilian to surplus, antiques to modern military issue were displayed among racks filled with the same firearms.
A large man stood amongst the massive stockpile. Hearing the door creaking open, he turned towards them and his eyes lightened up with a goofy smile.
"Ah! If it isn't my two most generous customers! Zdravstvyuete!"
Elliot waved nonchalantly towards the trader, "Hey Sergei. Still kicking, I see. You got the stuff?"
The Russian gave a deep belly laugh as he led the two to a nearby table laid out for guests, "Who else is going to get you two guns and everything else? Da! I got the goods. Come, sit!"
Sergei poured some tea and offered it to the two of them. The two pilots settled down and the three of them got down to business.
"Word is, you two really poked the sleeping bear! That group now grab guns as quick as a drunk gopnik goes through beer. My business is super good thanks to you two!"
Elliot tensed anxiously as he digested the tidbit from Sergei. Phantom Task stocking up on arms was certainly noteworthy and concerning. If they were doing a large buy of guns at this point in time, there was certainly something about to go down.
He averted his eyes towards Madoka to find her giving him the same look. They both have the same idea on what that news entailed to both of them.
If Phantom Task were running around with new kit, they're going to have a very hard time going forward. They have to get rid of that equipment before it got distributed out to every goon out there.
Elliot nodded towards Madoka, receiving the same back from the woman. They were in agreement in what to do.
The hybrid leaned forward, a mask of conspiratorial glee found itself on him "Let me guess, you sold it to them at a high price?"
"Dа! Those suki were desperate to grab whatever latest Western gear they could get. Stuff's expensive and hard to get but they're willing to pay any price for it. I let them have it for three times their price."
Elliot chuckled over the Russian's craftiness. Leave it to Sergei to think of something so dastardly. An idea formed in his head as he enjoyed the tea. His eyes found Sergei's as he laid out his idea.
"Hey Sergei, how about we help you with earning more money off of them?"
At this, Sergei leaned forward. Interest leaked out of the man's eyes as he rubbed his hands.
"Oh? Let's hear how you can do that, moi drug?"
They quickly came to a deal. Elliot and Madoka were going to hit a Phantom Task cache and eliminate all the enemy personnel there. Then they were going to mark the shipment for Sergei's men to come retrieve it. In exchange for the work, the Russian agreed to pay them a third of the shipment's value.
Sergei had given a good laugh over his insane idea. But he was not above screwing over Phantom Task if it earned him money and merchandise. It was also convenient that the cache happened to be a Phantom Task safehouse which coincidentally was the one they were going to hit so they were able to kill two birds with one stone.
They left his place with their ordered equipment and some GPS beacons. With all their equipment packed into Elliot's truck, they were ready for the night.
It was well into the night when they drove up towards the marked building. The black Toyota pickup's engine cut out as the two got out and onto the roof of the building opposite the target. Elliot and Madoka were dressed in inconspicuous outfits, though Madoka had a bulletproof vest underneath her hoodie as they hefted two bags into the building and into one of the rooms on the top floor.
Elliot walked up to the edge of the building, surveying the three-storey building across the street. He set his bag down and began taking out the equipment.
Madoka came up to him and did the same, opening up a hard case to pull out a rifle. A tan rifle with a very skeletonized handguard came into his view, along with several magazines and a suppressor.
The hybrid peered out of the window, setting up a shooting table as he kept watch over the target.
"This place's good. I can see there's some people in the target. Couple of guards. Unarmed. You think you can take out those guys without raising an alarm?"
Madoka snorted, her hands still busy setting up her rifle. The suppressor clicked into place and the magazine clicked home in the rifle.
"That's easy. I've taken shots much farther than this. With this rifle, I'm thinking it might be overkill."
Hefting the rifle onto the table, Madoka pulled up a discarded chair and sat behind the rifle. She sighted in on the target, concentration radiated out from her action.
Elliot had to agree with Madoka's assessment. The many occasions she had demonstrated her combat abilities showed she was an extremely competent markswoman. The M5 rifle in her hands would be a deadly scalpel and sledgehammer all in one.
The hybrid wasn't sitting still at this moment. Pulling out sheets of cloth, he pinned and glued them in place on the walls and the ceiling. His abilities made short work of the task and the room quickly transformed into a hide that would make any military sniper proud.
Having done preparing themselves, Madoka threw on a netting and sat behind the rifle. Elliot prepped himself for his part. He stood behind Madoka and gave a pat on her shoulder, "Alright. I'm going down. Hold fire until I give the signal. Keep an ear on your IS comms."
"Got it."
With that, Elliot stealthily exited the room and out of the building. Distant thunder rumbled in the horizon, accompanied by a brief notification by Hecate of an impending storm.
Artemis Shroud kicked in and he disappeared from view. The hybrid slowly stalked towards the target, two short blades forming in his hands as he approached the building.
It was time to wreak havoc.
Author's note: In this story, I'm trying my hand in introducing and displaying a new character. Let me know how well I've done in outlining and introducing a side character. I'm still not as good in creating new characters as much as rewriting them from existing characters.
Another side story featuring Elliot and Madoka. Up to this point, besides Tatenashi, Madoka seems to be the runner up for favorite girl. As much I'm still confused as to how she got this popular, I'm not complaining. I have plans to write an entire story just about them in the future once the original story is complete. When that happens, I'm gonna need you guys to offer suggestions and advice on what you want to see. I'll be possibly a community led story at that point so we'll see how that turns out.