Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 19:26:32 +0100
From: Chris Angel <moonknuckle@hotmail.com>
Subject: Messiah

Story Name: Messiah: Ac Causa Hic Novo Mundus

Date Begun: 15th August 2005

Date Ended: 20th August 2005

Story Rating: R

Language: English

Genre: Action/Romance/Angst

Chapters: 5

Albums listened to during the making of this fiction: Shadow Hearts 2
Soundtrack, Ixnay on the Hombre/Americana/Ignition (Offspring),
Facelift/Jar of Flies (Alice in Chains), Wiseblood (Corrosion of
Conformity), Dutty Rock (Sean Paul), etc.


Author's Notes: Messiah: Ac Causa Hic Novo Mundus (which is loose Latin for
Messiah: And For The Sake Of This New World) is the third collaboration
between Kaiser, Christine and Shadow Bunny. And it's by far the most
significant of them all. We all agreed that we wanted something hard and
gritty in a Anime-flavoured light, something to break away from the soft
heroism of Last Saga 4 and the simplicity of Circle of One. And this is the
end result. A story of over 48,000 words. Though we had only planned to
make it a 20,000 word story, we slogged our guts out and it ended up being
twice as long. Messiah was originally intended with hand-to-hand battles
rather than mecha ones. But after an entire week of watching Gundam Wing,
Gasaraki and Neon Genesis Evangelion (as well as playing Xenogears for the
first time ever), I convinced Christine and Shadow Bunny to let this be a
giant robo fiction. In the end it came out as a sort of angsty action/light
romance story with a particular flavour to it (sort of like Xenogears meets
Serial Experiments Lain meets RahXephon). So read and see what you think.
Be warned from now though. This story has a selectively mature outlook and
detail. It contains violence (physical, emotional, psychological and
sexual) as well as quotes from the Bible and romantic/sexual engagements
between both women and men as well as women and women (once again I managed
to convince Shadow Bunny to hold off on the guy/guy stuff. somehow). If any
of those ideas put you off then I suggest you stay away from Messiah. If
you're mature enough to handle it then read onwards.


The characters 'Terry' and 'Sophia' are the creations and property of
Shadow Bunny. The character 'Celaph' is the creation and property of
Christine. All other characters and Meta Suits are the creations and
property of Kaiser Ryouga 2. The three authors of this story reserve joint
ownership of it.


If you have any comments (and you've read this from a site that doesn't
have review capabilities) then you can send them to
moonknuckle@hotmail.com.


Okay then! On with the show!


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Messiah: Ac Causa Hic Novo Mundus

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hey ah na na

Innocence is over

Hey ah na na

Over

Hey ah na na

Ignorance is spoken

Hey ah na na

Spoken

Hey ah na na

Confidence is broken

Hey ah na na

Broken

Hey ah na na

Sustenance is stolen

Hey ah na na

Stolen

Hey ah na na

Arrogance is potent

Hey ah na na

Potent, yeah

What I see is unreal

I've written my own part

Eat of the apple so young

I'm crawling back to start

Hey ah na na

I repent tomorrow

Hey ah na na

Tomorrow

Hey ah na na

Is suspended my sorrow

Hey ah na na

Sorrow, yeah

What I see is unreal

I've written my own part

Eat of the apple so young

I'm crawling back to start

Hey ah na na

A romance is fallen

Hey ah na na

Fallen

Hey ah na na

Recommend you borrow

Hey ah na na

Borrow, yeah

What I see is unreal

I've written my own part

Eat of the apple so young

I'm crawling back to start

Hey ah na na.

Hey ah na na.

Hey ah na na.

Hey ah na na.

~ 'Rotten Apple', Alice in Chains


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Chronicle One - because her name is 'Yumi Mishima'


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Light pattered through a gap between two curtains that had not been opened
very often. That light traced itself as a beam across the carpeted floor of
Yumi's bedroom. Rolling all the way over to her pristinely re-made bed. Of
course she herself was not sleeping. In fact, that in itself was a task
without a steady supply of sleeping pills. But the treatments her doctor
had been giving her would have suggested otherwise. Which was why he cut
Yumi off of them. The time had come for her to 'work out her insomnia
without the use of drugs'.


If she had parents, they probably would have agreed with him.


But Yumi couldn't see it that way. And she never would. Which probably
meant that she would be this tired for the rest of her life. The door to
the young woman's bedroom (adorned with posters that had been dedicated to
her favourite band, Suicide of Claire) opened. And Yumi walked back into
the room with a steaming mug of coffee in her hand. She took one sip of it,
even though coffee wasn't the best choice of beverage for a confirmed
insomniac, and then sat down on the swivelling chair aside her
computer. Yumi put down the coffee mug and sighed, placing her fingers to
her keyboard. The scene she had left on her monitor came back to life with
the end of the screen saver. A window popped up showing the conformation of
the save of the very same thing she had spent nearly 230 hours
downloading. Yumi's light frown didn't leave her face. But her emotions,
quiet as they normally were, leapt at the thought of finally having
downloaded it. Trigger Mode 890. The newest software in the field of AWG
(Artificial World Generation). The known concept of Virtual Reality had
grown much in recent years. No thanks in part to the technological heads of
Protocol. The idea of forging your own virtual world and living it through
with the brain visor was a dream come true for many. After all, such tech
was not even in proper circulation to the public yet. But for someone like
Yumi, with the hacking skills of a demon, it was a matter of find and
take. Downloading this illegally would get her in trouble if she didn't
watch herself.


If she had a significant other, he or she probably would have been
concerned by the idea.


But Yumi was too good for that. To get the software she had to buy a
neo-broadband modem, one that would run for the amount of time
specified. Then she had to hack into the system of the Protocol
mega-database, break (or rather bend) its numerous firewalls, and then
download. Of course she couldn't just rely on that for 200+ hours. The
Protocol Database was a stringent user of 'Security Demons'. Which were
basically randomly coded security programs to detect criminal activity in
the server. They 're-spawned' every two and a half days, always with a
newer code for Yumi to deal with. But as said, she was no amateur in that
field. Security Demons had a bonus in the fact that they changed constantly
so they had no solid and consistent method of deletion. But because of
their randomly generated codes, Security Demons weren't always very
detailed. Thus they couldn't often detect the more secretive actions of
hackers. And more importantly, Yumi had a program of her own to deal with
the Security Demons. Her own invention. Something she liked to refer to as
a 'Counter Demon Wall'. With use of that she could hide her downloading of
Trigger Mode from the Security Demons.


The end result of that was this. Yumi took a blank CD from her drawer and
opened the case. And then slotted the CD inside her C-Drive for the
copying. In no time at all she saved the Trigger Mode software onto the CD,
and then broke her links with the Protocol database. She was a daring
hacker, but she wasn't stupid. You didn't wanna fuck around with an
organization that controlled the world for too long. Skill may have been
one of Yumi's strong points, but arrogance was not. Once she successfully
saved the software to the CD, she breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed her
mug of coffee. The eighteen-year-old took a sip and then relaxed
peacefully. Now that her connections with the database were over, she could
rest more easily. It was a dangerous business, hacking in the 22nd
Century. Even more so when the hacker messed with a global force like that
Protocol. This year of 2153 had seen the rise of the organization. The
force that was once the UN had subsided to it long ago. It was both a
scientific and political organization that acted as the world's first
global, non-unilateral government. A representative from every country was
sent to join a group known as the Upper Council. That group was the highest
known authority in the world. They decided on many things for all countries
in the world, or at least the parts that were under Protocol's
jurisdiction. When it came to things like agriculture and military force,
Protocol's heavy influence controlled everything.


Yumi leaned back on her chair, thinking about Protocol. It seemed a little
unbelievable, even in this day and age, that a political faction like
Protocol could exist. Especially one based on a theocracy. The world
government was as religious as it was political. Often talking of the 'end
of the world' and on 'human redemption'. Of course, Yumi was an embittered
atheist so she didn't really know much else about the religious aspect of
Protocol. Thankfully the group never really attempted to force their
theocracy on anyone. Even at college, the learning of Protocol's religion,
Messiahism, was a completely optional lesson. They had learned from the
mistakes of previous eras, it seemed. Besides. Those living the good life
in the world felt. indebted to Protocol.


Because, in some respects, they had restarted the world.


But rather than dwell on any thoughts of a war that took place nearly 148
years ago, the Japanese girl sipped the last of her coffee and stood
upright, stretching out her arms. The girl then strode up to the curtains
of the windows and pulled them open. She didn't like opening the curtains
of her apartment much. Mostly because she wanted her privacy, partly
because she preferred it dark in her rooms. It was an addition to a not
necessarily gloomy decor, but it suited Yumi in the way she felt about
things.


If she had friends, it might have bothered them.


Yumi was a lonely girl.


And there were only two things in her life that made it worthwhile. Her
exploits as a hacker, and her. other. The closest thing that she had ever
had to a friend. The woman known as Chizuru Matsubana. Even now, Yumi could
feel her cheeks flowering at the thought of her. Chizuru was no ordinary
woman, that was for sure. But those beautiful yet lofty fair-weather dreams
were all she would ever get from the woman. Such thoughts further served
the Mishima girl's depression. Yumi sighed once more then opened the two
windows of her room. Allowing all new fresh air to seep in. Whilst looking
outwardly into the wonders of the place known as Meta Tokyo. A regally
grand and bustling offspring of its former self. The towering skyscrapers
of Neo-Shinjuku could be seen as far away as Yumi's residential
district. That was the centre of business when it came to Japan. And also
the centre of the scientific/technological world. All twenty of the
Japanese research stations of Protocol were stationed around
Neo-Shinjuku. And when she looked down to the street she could see sweeper
androids clearing up the rubbish left in the roads by the biological half
of the city. Androids were an important part of life in this time. The
world population was at least 42% lower than what it had been 148 years
ago. Thus there was that little bastard issue called labour shortage for
the world to suffer with. Around the time that Protocol had risen, the
field of AI had seen massive growth. Mostly because scientists remaining
from the Great War had to push up the speed of android development to quell
the labour shortage. But also because the Great War had shown people just
how much they resented participating in warfare. Conscription had been one
of the tyrants of that particular war. Eventually the Protocol group made
the jump into android tech. Now, more than a century later, androids were
as commonplace as sex.


Once Yumi breathed in the freshness of the air that she didn't often
admire, there was a subtle chime from the speakers of her computer. A bell
that indicated that she had a new e-mail. That was strange. When she
started up her computer, none of her contacts had been online. Yumi walked
over to her desk and sat down once again to see what it was. She placed her
hand over her mouse and brought the cursor to an open window of her
explorer. She clicked on the address bar and then typed in the location of
chosen e-mail account. The window switched to that same site, and the
white-haired teen clicked on the icon that held her e-mail. Her inbox then
appeared. In which she saw the e-mail. Addressed to her from someone under
the title of 'anonymous'. The heading of the e-mail said nothing more than
'Yumi'.


She stared at it for a moment. It wasn't junk, her account would have
deleted it if it was. So who was it from? She wasted absolutely no time
pondering on that and opened the e-mail. When the window adjusted itself
she read out the text of it, reciting, "Yumi Mishima. The world is subject
to a constant cycle of Assimilation, Process and Reaction. The engine of
the universe to which all things -- biological and technological -- are
based. At the beginning of the time of the Seven Keys such distinctions
were completely foreign to us. As was the concept of 'distinction'. If all
is as destiny plans, that time will come again. You can remain as you are
no longer."


End of the e-mail.


Yumi blinked. "What is this? Some kind of riddle?"


No matter was this thing actually was, Yumi knew that she couldn't
understand a word of it. In her mindset she just ignored the content and
focused on the more glaring fact. Whatever moron sent this e-mail, he or
she knew her name. Her real name. The only person that knew Yumi's e-mail
address in the real world was Chizuru. And she wasn't much of a techno-buff
in any sort of way. So who was it from? And just how. did they know Yumi's
real name?


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


In this world, the importance of the military was known to all. Not always
as a method of destruction. But as a deterrent of it. That was the
sentiment that Protocol pushed to separate themselves from the image of
them as a bunch of unified despots. An image that was frequently being
shown in the media force of the internet. But there was no separation
between Protocol and military force. And in the centre of Meta-Tokyo, the
heartland known as Neo-Shinjuku, the central station of the Japanese
division of Protocol's military power existed.


Protocol's army had many bases across the world. This was only one of
them. It was called the Shinrai Complex. A gigantic hexagonal building
fenced off by nothing more than four long stone walls. Surrounded by a
layer of grass and trees that sought, in design, to brighten the layout of
the facility. It was bordered by the business skyscrapers of Neo-Shinjuku,
dwarfed in height but not influence. In fact, even the grassy grounds
around the walls of the building were off limits to unauthorized members of
the public. In terms of firepower in reserve, the Shinrai Complex was the
biggest non-armed military base in the world, under a square distance of
300 metres by another 345 metres, which included both building and
layout. It was more a centre for admin and direction to the lesser,
more-heavily armed bases around Japan. In fact the Shinrai Complex
possessed only a few hangers for mobile weaponry in means of defence. But
what it did have was a huge underground research facility, which connected
to many tunnels underneath the city of Meta-Tokyo. One stretched all the
way to Meta-Tokyo Bay as the primary escape route. The importance of this
base to the web of military bases across the country was
undeniable. Because this was the centre point of it all. Which made it
easier to understand why the Divine Blade, the division of the Holy
Protocol Army (which made total use of the weapons known as Meta Suits) was
stationed primarily at the Shinrai Complex.


In the upper levels of this administrative building was a certain office. A
richly designed one. It had a desk, and a computer and a large window for
much light to peer through, naturally. But it also had trophies. Along the
walls were armaments from bygone eras. The matchlock rifles that had been a
staple Japanese firearm until the 1800's. The katanas and naginatas that
this nation had been famous for. As well as pistols, axes, German
Zweihander swords and spears. All mounted on the walls of that particular
office. The reflection of a certain man's dreams, his fascination with the
art of warfare. And that of his heart, a warrior's heart chilled by the
taint of that which his superiors called peace. There was no greater pain
than for a soldier to suffer the lust for conflict in a world of peace
created as a result of conflict. That man, the one who suffered that same
pain, was standing by the bright light of that large office window.


That man's name was William Ank Celaph.


In the Shinrai Complex, he was referred to as Commander Celaph. He was not
a Japanese national. No, he was born far to the west, in England. But after
the much publicized terrorist attacks on Meta-Tokyo's ports three months
ago, the previous commander of the Japanese division of the Holy Protocol
Army had 'abdicated' his post in a rather swift way. It came to the point
where the Japanese military truly needed a new, charismatic and talented
leader. And thus they had sent for William Ank Celaph. The man famed for
his many successful string of victories against the rebels outside of the
Meta Cities. Celaph looked out to the window to the scene of the many
car-packed roads outside of the Shinrai Complex. The man of little more
than twenty-nine-years brushed his blonde bangs out of his eye line,
smiling unhappily. Meta-London was his home. But this would do for
now. Across from Celaph, on his desk, the intercom went off. And his
secretary, Mitsuko, called to him, announcing,


"Commander Celaph, you have been contacted."


"It must be the Triad of the Inquisition," He whispered, "please put it
through, Mitsuko."


The girl made a confirming noise and did just that. Above the desk, in the
ceiling, was a compartment. The doors to that compartment separated and
opened to reveal a video screen. The mechanical gears and pulleys holding
it up shifted the screen down slowly, so that the screen came into a
vertical position to be seen. Then the screen turned itself on. An image of
three shadowed figures, each bathed in darkness but glowing with their own
individual aura stood silently. Celaph turned around and fell to one knee
in esteem. It was truly a great honour. One that was not new to him but
very important.


"It is good to see you all once again, great sirs." He exclaimed.


One of the three holy men, known forever more as the Triad of the
Inquisition, spoke to Celaph with his biologically morphed voice box
pouring out a seething and oily voice. "Commander Celaph. The time we have
prepared for all this time, is finally upon us."


Celaph's eyes widened. "Do you actually mean to say. that the rebirth is
finally at hand.?"


"Yes," One other replied, ".the reunion of Eros and the Thanatos to the
birth of the Greater One. A Novus Deus after all our waiting. The time has
come. Which means that nothing can interrupt the process."


Celaph stood back up. "I see. Is that why you had me stationed in Japan? To
oversee the reunion?"


"No. We actually felt that your talents would be better issued to the
destruction of the rebels. We have great reason to believe that Chrysalis
is now operating out of Meta-Tokyo. They must be stopped once and for all."


"Hmm," The commander mused on the idea, "I see. Defeating them would more
or less leave EDEN defenceless. Do you wish me to mobilize the Divine Blade
for that mission? General Naam is a rather difficult man to
control.but. his skills in piloting Meta Suits are almost flawless. The
only one who surpasses them. is."


"Deploy the Divine Blade," One of the three answered, "Naam shall lead them
into battle. You shall formulate their pattern of attack. Now. How is that
one?"


"You mean the Thanatos? He is a. pistol. His recklessness knows no
bounds. But then. that recklessness is a result of that amazing tank of
energy he possesses. I've come to believe his significance. I just don't
see putting him into battle conditions as a good idea as yet. The Raum Meta
Suit is ready for him. but. I do not think that his mind is rational enough
to follow orders on the battlefield."


The second of the Triad of the Inquisition addressed that. "Contact between
the Eros and the Thanatos is not pivotal at this point. If he is not ready
then send him to Ix Nos Babel for the time being. For now, you will focus
your efforts on suppressing the insurgence of those following under the
banner of Bartholomeus. You are familiar with his granddaughter, are you
not?"


Celaph smiled solemnly. "We knew each other. once."


"Then no one is better suited to this operation than you, Celaph. The
completion of both the Oriax and the Raum Meta Suits is just the first step
in the plan. Use of them. might be necessary."


"Is Chrysalis that powerful? Have we been underestimating the Ark of the
Luria? Or do you have a different reason for this?"


The middle of the Triad shook his head. ".You needn't concern yourself with
that, Celaph. The important thing now is to secure the event to come. By
destroying those who would interfere with it. That should be your primary
concern."


That was enough for Celaph. "Fair enough. But then what of Eros? Should we
make sure that one is secured as well? Transportation to Ix Nos Babel would
not take long."


"We will handle that end," One of them replied to the English commander,
"you just concentrate on the rebels. If something should happen in that
respect, then, all issues concerned will be handed to you, Celaph. Do you
understand?"


The Englishman nodded. "Yes, sirs. I understand. So. It's finally
happening. The reversal of the events of the Seven Keys is finally at
hand. One can't help but be. excited."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


It had been an hour or so since Yumi had downloaded the Trigger Mode
software from the Protocol mainframe. College had been out for the summer
for the past three weeks. She still had plenty of time before she had to
get to work on any of her mid-summer projects. It didn't much matter to
Yumi; most schoolwork of her own she did with great ease. It was never
really a challenge. But it was never an annoyance either. Putting it off
was a matter of convenience. Not for Yumi herself, but rather for
Chizuru. Who was the person that Yumi was going to meet today.


The white-haired teen had dressed in the best clothes she afforded for
herself because of her meeting with Chizuru today. A beige brown set of
shorts and a white top, one which had the phrase 'bad girl' on the
back. Yumi looked down silently and waited for Chizuru to make her
appearance. They had agreed to meet just outside of Yumi's apartment. On a
side road just ten metres down from the door to Yumi's building. She stood
leaning against the north wall of a bakery, smelling pleasantly the
fragrance of freshly cooked bread. One of her club heel sandals tapped the
other whilst waiting. She didn't mind waiting for Chizuru, even though
there were times when she could become impatient. But seeing Chizuru in the
flesh was a telling reason for her current patience all of itself. There
were few women in this world or the next that were quite so beautiful.


Then she heard the phrase 'what's up, Yumi?' from a short distance across
the road. Yumi's bright baby blue eyes blinked and she looked upwards from
her feet. Her normal frown was now replaced with a small but heartfelt
smile. And that all came from seeing that same girl of her dreams. Chizuru
Matsubana. Yumi's cheeks automatically blushed. Just from being aware of
the girl's presence. Never before and perhaps never again would Yumi be so
attracted to a single person. The hacker dared or willed herself to look at
Chizuru. To look at her long, flawless locks of raven black hair, inching
all the way down to the crests of her small and tight rear end. She forced
herself to admire Chizuru's long flawless legs, in their delicate yet
athletic posture, and her healthy bouncing breasts. What Yumi felt was no
more than sheer human attraction at this point. But she wasn't the kind to
circumnavigate the reasons for and against it. All she was aware of was the
beauty of the Matsubana girl. So much so that it caused a reaction in
Chizuru herself. The long-haired female smirked playfully when she came up
to the silent Yumi. Chizuru then pulled her hand out of her jeans pocket
and pressed it against Yumi's forehead, analysing something.


"Have you had too much sun?" She asked rhetorically, "cause if you have,
maybe we shouldn't be going out together?"


Yumi blinked, shaking herself out of her reverie. ".Um. no."


"Well then you can stop staring, Yumi," Chizuru said with a smile, "I'm not
that ugly am I? Or is it the opposite?"


Given that Yumi had not ONCE spoken of her feelings (physical) to anyone,
least of all to Chizuru, it should have struck her alarm bells to hear such
a comment from the dark-haired woman. But she was far too caught up in the
sweet, sweet beauty of Chizuru. They were not friends. Never once had they
called themselves as such. But what they had was a shared interest in each
other. Yumi was near enough bewitched by Chizuru's beauty. Enough to follow
her even into the fiery pits of hell. And Chizuru had her own reasons for
being around the hacker from time to time. She had never specified
them. But rather Chizuru had a habit of using harmless flirtation to avoid
the subject whenever it was brought up.


Times came when Yumi questioned why Chizuru, one of the most popular girls
at college, would even bother associating herself with one of college's
dregs.


Now was such a time. ".W-why. did you ask to meet me?"


Chizuru's face went still for a brief moment. Then she pulled a wide smile
at her current companion. "What kind of question is that, huh? Do I really
need a reason?"


"I suppose not." Yumi admitted.


"Yeah, well," Chizuru tugged a strand of her hair backwards to her ear and
then said, "I do have an ulterior motive. I need you to do me a REALLY big
favour. Could you do it for me, Yumi?"


"That depends on what it is."


"I need you to change something," The darker haired teen went into the back
pocket of her jeans, ones which, Yumi noticed, hugged very closely to the
globes of her ass. Still Chizuru pulled out something. It was an ID card,
"Could you alter this for me?"


Yumi took the plastic card in her hand and looked it over. "Is that all you
need me to do?"


"Well, I was hoping, if you're not too busy with your gloomy anti-social
life, if you'd agree to come see a movie with me? I just need you to tamper
with that card a little so that it says I'm 21 rather than 18. You'd have
to do that with your card too if you wanna come."


The Mishima girl blinked, astounded. "You. actually. want to. hang out with
me.?"


"Well duh! I just said so, didn't I? Don't act so surprised. You've done a
lot for me since we met during the first term. I guess this is the least I
can do for you."


It was then that Yumi's sudden peak of happiness mellowed out. So Chizuru
only thought of it as an obligation. A way to repay favours. No matter what
way Chizuru acted, she still couldn't see that Yumi felt something for
her. It was understandable in a ridiculous way. She was a typical trendy
bimbo in most cases. The only reason she had passed the flawlessly
difficult entry exams into Meta-Tokyo was because she majored in Drama,
which couldn't really be evaluated that way. And since they had met. all
that existed between them was a system of want help and take help. Chizuru
needed help on a certain homework problem from one of her secondary
classes? Yumi was there for her. If ever she needed a written essay typed
up on a computer then Yumi was the one to pull the all-nighter. You could
have said that Chizuru was. taking advantage of Yumi. And you would have
been right. But that little detail didn't really matter. to either of
them. Yumi was too caught up in Chizuru's beauty. And young Chizuru was too
caught up in herself.


Or so it seemed.


Yumi nodded as an acceptance of what Chizuru wanted. Chizuru replied with a
loud and childish giggle. But if they were going to get into whichever
movie that the taller girl wanted to see, then they would have to get back
up to Yumi's apartment. ID cards were laminated but she had a device to
change that. The two of them turned around to head back around to Yumi's
apartment. But then when they did, they noted that two men, both dressed in
dark black business suits, were waiting before the stoop of Yumi's
apartment building. Both girls became cautious. It was a quiet area that
Yumi lived in. These men seemed somehow out of place. And the focused
smiles on their faces showed that they had an agenda. Chizuru huddled
closer to Yumi while the pair of them walked over to the stoop. But before
Yumi even set foot on it, one of them stepped ahead, stopping her.


He pulled a smirk, lowering his shades with his fingertips. "Would you
happen to be a woman by the name of Yumi Mishima?"


A cold and blunt fear suddenly crept up Yumi's spine. What if this had
something to do with her illegal downloads from the Protocol mainframe?
".W-why do you want to know t-that?"


"Just answer the question," The second man barked, "are you Yumi Mishima?"


"Look, we don't want any trouble," Chizuru said hopefully, "can you just
let us go this time?"


The first of the suits laughed derisively. "This kid thinks that we're with
Meta-Tokyo's constabulary. Hmph. That's rich. Broads really are stupider
than they look. Hey there kid, d'you get that from your mom? All tits and
no brains?"


The sparkling twinkle of anger shot through Chizuru's eyes in all but a
flash, however she didn't act on it. Before she even would have had that
chance, Yumi stepped ahead of Chizuru and hid the other girl's ID
card. "Please leave us alone. If you're not the police, then-"


The second man growled, and then thrust his fist out. Yumi gasped as he
grabbed her by the throat, so quickly that she barely caught onto it. The
taller male sniggered rudely at her face. Watching her cheeks redden with
the sudden lack of oxygen from the throat. His grip around her neck
tightened, causing her to writhe, gag, and claw at his thick, muscled hand
to stop. But he wasn't stopping. And it became clear that he had no
intentions to do so, either.


"You're coming with us. Yumi Mishima."


This time Chizuru's frown was here to stay. "Hey! Let her go!"


Chizuru tried to get to Yumi before she choked, but the first of the suits
stepped ahead of her, blocking her pass. He then tugged a grin and drew his
hand up. Each of his fingers curled up into the palm, to form a fist. Then
he smacked Chizuru across the face in one hard but controlled
punch. Chizuru yelped and fell backwards, collapsing to the ground, her
cheek bruising a dark purple. Yumi's eyes widened with alarm, catching
sight of that. But no more so than when the tall business suit-dressed man
stamped his scuffed black shoe into Chizuru's face, as she lay prone over
the pavement. "Little bitch. Got something to say now?"


-- ASSIMILATION --


Yumi tried to yell at him to stop. She tried. But she could hardly part her
lips. And it seemed that with each second that passed, the grip of the
second man was growing tighter. Soon her feet began to rise up off the
ground, her sandals clicking against the pavement. This man was strong
enough to lift the teen right off her feet with just one hand. Which meant
that he was at least using muscle enhancements. Which also meant that he
was working for Protocol. Only they had that kind of performance-enhancing
therapy. But Yumi's concern was never for herself. All she did was stare
powerlessly at Chizuru. Watching that man step on her beautiful face like
it was a doormat. And so, at that point, something clicked inside of Yumi.


-- PROCESS --


Her eyes dilated. A sudden action that had nothing to do with the man that
was choking her. Yumi's head tilted backwards, almost as if she were in a
trance. And her large blue eyes suddenly thinned out, their previous blue
swiftly shifting into a subsequent white. The suit stared curiously at the
thin white of Yumi's eyes, but couldn't figure it out. But she was no
longer concerned by his actions. In Yumi's head, the scene with herself
being choked and Chizuru being kicked around vanished. And was replaced by
constant flashes. Scenes of a certain moment in time buried inside her
brain as deep and hidden as any old file in a computer system. This images
now ran unbidden in Yumi's mind. To a far different location. In her mind
she could see a hallway. A hallway of a lab. The white walls and chilled
air so vivid, as if she were there at present. Even deeper. she could see a
small girl of no more than five or six years of age. Her hair was white
like newly fallen snow, crying her eyes out in the middle of that
corridor. In her hand was a teddy bear. The other she used to rub the tears
out of her eyes. In between her sobs, she muttered 'Daddy' over and over
again. And surrounding her were the bloody, broken corpses of four men. The
red of their blood was smeared all over the ashen walls of that cold
hallway, their corpses laying lifelessly in pools of it. Their skulls were
broken open. The puréed matter of their brain tissue, in all its pink and
red glory, was splattered across the ground. The fragments of the bone of
their skulls and the scattered remains of their hair dotted the bloody
excess of their cracked heads. And yet all the same. that white-haired girl
stood, her frilly dress stained with blood and brain matter, stood crying,
murmuring only one word.


Daddy.


Then Yumi's focus returned to the current situation, not the deeply
suppressed images that dared to be thought of as memories. But the cause of
them would be all the same. Yumi's now thin white eyes locked firmly on the
one holding her by the neck. And a cold, almost chilling aura of silver
awoke from her. Yumi's body was surrounded in a silver-flaming force that
felt as cold as an arctic snowstorm. The coursing but frosty flames of
silver covered her hands, her head, her legs, her chest, her thighs; all of
her. All the while her snow-white hair rose up into the air, clearly
presenting the sudden shift in her expression. The man holding her, whose
body was now bathed in the glow of Yumi's silvery aura, blinked in alarm.


-- REACTION --


"Oh, crap!" He expressed, "Her Qi is awake! The biological lock isn't
holding! Aaaa-AAAAHHH!"


One flick of Yumi's eyes and the skull of that man exploded. In a bright
flash of cold silver force, that man's head burst open, spraying blood and
brain tissue over the stoop and over Yumi's emotionless face. His now
decapitated body fell backwards, releasing Yumi's neck from that choke
hold. It collapsed without motion, spreading the blood from the shattered
neck outwardly. Yumi remained hovering in the air. And her head slowly
turned to see the man on top of Chizuru. Both Chizuru and that man were
silent and shocked. With nothing more than a look, Yumi had. killed
someone. But in Chizuru's eyes. their was less in the way of shock. and
more in the way of worry. Yumi, her body alight with those cold silver
flames, floated across from the corpse of the dead suit to the torso of the
living one. She lifted her hand up, as if to strike him down, but couldn't
act. Her arm froze when it hit the air. Her whole body started to
shake. From the tips of her fingers to the tips of her toes. The white of
her eyes then revered back in blue, the wideness of them also
returning. Yumi had recovered consciousness. But now she was bitterly aware
of what she had done. And a haunted look framed her face. The cold fire of
her manifest Qi soon evaporated into nothingness, causing her to fall to
the ground. But Yumi's body still shook. She could. feel the blood and bone
scraps over her face. As well as hear the sound of blood dripping off the
edge of the pavement and into the drain.


Did I. did. I. kill. someone.?


Yumi, stricken by the realization, clasped her head, curling up into a
fetal position. Her body shook constantly, over and over again, while the
blood from the dead man stuck to her face. "No. no. it's not true. It's not
true. It's not true. It's not true. It's not true. It's not true. It's not
true. It's not true. It's not true. It's not true. It's. not. true. it's
not. IT'S NOT TRUE!"


Yumi screamed out a bloodcurdling shriek of terror, one so loud that it
echoed throughout the block. And then just as easily as that, she lost
consciousness again. Her body jerked hard. Yumi's mind was emotionally
exhausted. Chizuru and the man above her were still speechless. But there
was someone else around who had seen the whole thing. Someone who was not
at all surprised by this turn of events. A shadowed figure rushed out of
the gap between two buildings across the road. His swift strides on his
brown boots got him across the street quickly. Once he was there, the young
man jumped up and swung his leg out. The last man in black didn't catch
onto this in time. The unknown blonde man kicked him hard across the face,
hearing him groan hard at the attack. The suit toppled over, robbed of his
consciousness. And the young man who had done that, landed to the
pavement. He beamed a stunning smile whilst running a hand through his long
blonde bangs.


"Are you okay?" He said to Chizuru, concerned.


Chizuru exchanged glances between Yumi and this mystery man, who now looked
to be western in origin. ".I. I."


The blonde youth caught onto Chizuru's wordless state and was going to say
something to soothe her, until they both noticed that a new flaming silver
aura surrounded Yumi's unconscious body.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"What in the.? It's awakening?!"


Deep below the building known as the Shinrai Complex was a multifaceted
laboratory. The deep white of the walls and halls and the lab coats give
this away without doubt. Hundreds of rooms were built in the jurisdiction
of the lab. Each one used for separated purposes or experiments. Some
technological, some biological. Over five levels and all of them
underground, free from the risk of security breaches. Very few people other
than those in the upper echelons of Protocol knew of this place. Or of the
importance of it. Such information was considered top secret amongst
Protocol personnel. So much so that only a few hundred people (92% of those
people being the scientists that actually worked their) had even heard
about it. For secrets, those hidden even from lesser-ranked members of
Protocol, were aplenty in that place. And it was known as the Ochiai
Underground Research Facility.


In the highest level of that underground laboratory, a large research room
contained a certain something. A Meta Suit. These machines were gigantic
humanoid-shape mecha. Designed specifically for combat, but also adapted
for construction purposes. One particular Meta Suit stood upright in the
large white room of that particular section of the Ochiai Underground
Research Facility. At a towering height of 65.7 metres, with polished white
and blue armouring made from the finest titanium that man had ever
discovered. From its head came two thick and ear-like antennae that
extended backwards diagonally. Its face had been sculpted in a human-like
shape, with the contours of eyes, and those red glass eyes were glowing
brightly now. It was clearly a Meta Suit like no other. Hooked up to many
large wires which were also connected, at the ceiling, to a net of
harnesses that held them in place. The information that was gathered from
the body of that Meta Suit was fed directly to the computers in a separate
room via those cables. That room was right next to the holding chamber of
the Meta Suit. A thick glass pane allowed the three scientists inside to
observe what was happening to the machine armour from there. A given
safety.


One of them huddled by the computer terminals that was being fed
information from the opposing room. His glasses were illuminated by the
bright flashes of codes that was shown over the screen. So many at such a
quick rate.


"I don't believe it!" He yelled ecstatically, "these readings are off the
charts! Someone's Qi is coalescing with the essence of the Oriax! At this
rate, the suit will achieve activation in less than three minutes!"


The second scientist looked out through the window pane to see the status
of the Meta Suit they had dubbed as 'Oriax'. Its armour was now covered
with streaks of blue electricity, the sheen of the metal growing. The light
of its red eyes came alive. And all the cables that had been attached to
its arms, legs, chest, head and back broke off. They dropped from the torso
of Oriax, spurting out clear white gases and rogue electricity, as well as
a green substance in drops which closely resembled blood. The doctor
pressed his hand into the glass and expressed a dazzling smile of wonder.


"It's incredible." He said, "it must be the one. The biological lock we
were told about must be breaking. Now that it is free. it must be. acting
unintentionally as a beacon. But whoever that person is, they must not know
that."


A hard look came to him and he turned around to his colleagues. "Come on,
quickly now! The P.T.P (Phase Transport Phenomenon) will occur soon!
Contact Control Room and tell them to deploy at least three Meta Suits as
quickly as possible! And make sure that they inform Commander Celaph about
this!"


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Above ground, in the upper levels of the Shinrai Complex, was the office
room of the commander in chief of Protocol's military affairs in
Japan. That same man was Commander Celaph. Now gone from the window, he sat
at the desk he had come to loathe for so long. It was such a place that a
soldier should never have had to adjust to in his mind. But there was no
real choice for him in the matter. The Triad of the Inquisition had given
him his orders. It was a soldier's duty to follow them. But this time he
was not the only soldier in that decorated office. Across from Celaph and
his desk was the very same man that controlled the Divine Blade division of
the Holy Protocol Army. The same man, clad in haughty red garbs with his
chest bearing the golden standard of the lion, that had won so many battles
against insurgents to the Meta Cities in the Eurasia area. The man that was
not born in the Meta Cities. but had a frightening will to prove himself to
those who were with his overwhelmingly skilled hand in the art of piloting
Meta Suits.


That man, that infernal warrior, was known as General Naam.


The tall, strident leader of the Divine Blade Meta Suit forces, who had
been stationed in Japan only two weeks ago. With a great wide grin and his
ornamental broadsword strapped to his side, General Naam stood before
Celaph, saying,


"Commander Celaph, is this true? You wish me to lead the attack against
Chrysalis.? Are those our orders from the Upper Council?"


Celaph shook his head. "No. Not from the council. These orders come
directly from the Triad of the Inquisition themselves. Thus you can
understand why I summoned you from your quarters at such short notice."


"Ah, I see," the general said sneakily, ".it makes sense. But I won't
pretend to care about the reason. Heh. All I care about is getting a second
shot at Beatrix and her damned team. They made a FOOL of me in that battle
at Shiratoo'i, the bastards! This time they will pay with their lives!"


Celaph smiled at the fiery Meta Suit warrior. "Do not underestimate that
woman's talents as a leader. We both know what she is capable of, do we
not? Such a situation demands more than brute strength. We need wiles and
intelligence to stop Chrysalis."


"I fail to understand just what it is that you're getting at. What are you
trying to say to me, Commander Celaph?"


"I have an informant who is following the movements of. a certain someone
that is fundamental to our ultimate plans. I believe that that informant
will soon have the details we need to both locate EDEN and launch an
assault upon it. Just have patience. In the meantime, I want you to ready
your men for the attack."


"Fair enough, but," General Naam suddenly became serious as stone when he
continued, "I had actually believed that when you called me here, you might
have had some information about. her."


Celaph held a hand to his chin. "Are you talking about the one who escaped
Ix Nos Babel? I had a feeling you would have inquired about her at some
point."


"Soldiers don't often ask favours. When they do it's often because they
have something important to handle. That alone should have been enough of a
warning to it."


"I suppose," Celaph replied, "but I wouldn't know much of it, now that I am
forced to fight with pen and paper. In any case, we still have not yet
caught up with her. But considering the calibre of the Meta Suit she pilots
now. that is understandable. She was connected to your family somehow, was
she not?"


General Naam dragged his fist across his grey beard. "That isn't really
important right now. If you haven't found her then so be it. I'll take up
the mission myself once Chrysalis is destroyed. Revenge is a certain
something I like to carry onto the battlefield, too."


The commander smiled softly at that, but that smile faded when he heard the
phone on his desk ring. Celaph lifted the receiver to his ear and listened
in to what they had to say. His eyes narrowed with understanding to the
comments being spoken into his ear, then he put down the phone. Shortly
afterwards a second smile came to his face while he chuckled acrimoniously.


Naam was curious. "What was it?"


"Heh, heh, heh." The commander leaned back in his chair, ".that was the
Control Room. It seems that the Oriax has finally awoken."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The cockpit of Oriax was unlike that of any other Meta Suit. Aside from the
leather seat and the controls around it, it was not metallic. The surrounds
of the cockpit were like a globular mass of water, fixed together to form a
barrier that might have looked fragile to the naked eye, but acted as
security the likes of which no one had ever known. For that strange cockpit
existed inside a relatively small dimension. One that had been miniaturized
with Qi manipulations for the 'womb' compartment of the Meta Suit. And the
whole thing pulsed in rhythm like a clockwork heartbeat, every few
seconds. Such technology was foreign fiction to all but Protocol. Their
power manifest by nothing more than the existence of this tech.


A wisp of silver flames chilled the innards of that cockpit. And those
flames formed into the girl known as Yumi Mishima. Teleportation as a
result of unknown forces moved her through time and space into the cockpit
of the Meta Suit. She dropped into the seat, her eyes resuming that pure
white, and her body still burning with cold fire. Inside that trance of
before, Yumi knew, subconsciously, what to do here. Her small hands gripped
the control sticks that were built around the seat that hovered in that
water-sphere womb barrier. In front of her appeared what looked to be a
video screen. One that showed her what was going on around the Meta Suit
from the eyes of the Oriax itself. Now she was in control.


Outside the Oriax, in the Ochiai Underground Research Facility, was the
layout of its holding chamber. In the separate observation room, the very
same scientists who had informed Control Room of these developments were
now marvelling at the sight of the Oriax coming to life. No one aside from
a chosen few could pilot it. This was truly a sign. From behind the sheet
of metal that acted as a mouthpiece for the Oriax, came a loud, bestial and
ethereal scream that rumbled throughout that section of the research
facility. That in itself was a testament to the fact that this. Meta
Suit. was not completely mechanical. The Oriax tilted its large head
backwards and 'looked' upwards at the ceiling of the room it was trapped
in. The polished breastplates of its armour shot open, one side swinging to
the other, which showed the circular gemstone-like device in its
chest. Acting as a kind of organ. That green 'heartstone' started
glowing. A light so bright that the scientists had to look away to keep
themselves from being blinded. Oriax released another bestial war cry,
causing a huge beam of searing, Qi-converted energy to shoot outward from
its chest. Filling the entire chamber with unearthly emerald light. That
energy beam burned savagely through the roof of the research
facility. Everything in its path was burnt to cinders. The floors, the
furniture, the scientists, the machines, the tests. Everything in the path
of that beam, that Jupiter Maelstrom, was obliterated before knowledge of
that obliteration came. It burned all the way up to the top level of the
compound. There were gasps from the nearby people when they saw a towering
pillar of light burst up from the gardens of the Shinrai Complex and
climbed up into the skies above.


The energy of the beam slowly faded away. With a hole successfully created
in the ceiling of the chamber, all the way up to the top of the complex,
Oriax jumped deftly through that hole with all the speed that it had been
blessed with. The Meta Suit leapt out from the crater-hole into the scenes
of Meta-Tokyo. All the people close enough to the complex could see both
the Oriax and the energy blast that had preceded it. Waiting for the Oriax
above ground were three Meta Suits. Each of them hovering in the air from
their energy propulsion systems. They were combat Meta Suits, a type known
as Zagan. They were armed with cannon rifles in their metallic, humanoid
hands. Their black and brown military colours contrasting the white and
blue of the taller Oriax.


One of the pilots of the Zagan yelled out through a com link, saying, "Is
that the new experimental weapon that the research department was
building?! I thought the only immediate forces stationed here were those of
the Divine Blade accompanying General Naam!"


"Idiot!" The second yelled, "Those four-eyed bastards didn't create that
thing for military use!"


The third one, the one in command, scoffed. "It doesn't matter. We were
ordered to bring the Meta Suit back down to the Ochiai labs so that's what
we'll do! Move out!"


".Roger!"

"Roger!"


The three Zagan Meta Suits then charged the Oriax through the air. Their
speed was far greater than that of land-based Meta Suits. But it did not
seem to be an issue for the Oriax. As they came at it, they all pulled up
their rifle cannons and fired continuous blasts at their target. The shots
from the Zagan suits rained down on the Oriax in a coordinated wave that
simply engulfed the machine. It was rocked by a series of compact
explosions that surrounded it in clouds of smoke and flame. The Zagan-types
fired on and on at the smoke cloud, burying more of their rounds into the
'enemy' Meta Suit.


Once a full number of 9,700 blasts had been fired, the Zagans lowered their
guns and scanned the scene for the result. The suit had to have been
disabled by all that. But when the smoke faded, they were all shocked to
see that the Oriax had not even been scratched. It had enswathed itself
inside a circular shield of emerald energy. One that protected it from all
of the shots fired by the Zagan's rifles. A second scream sounded out from
the Oriax and it evaporated its shield. The white-armoured suit burst
forwards with intense speed and grace, towards Zagan #1. The Oriax stuck
out its hand and thrust it straight through the centre of the machine. The
iron of the Zagan was no match for the titanium of the Oriax. The white
suit reacted its hand and zoomed away. Subsequently, the first Zagan
exploded in a bang of flame and metal; its remains falling out of the
air. The second Zagan tried in vain to shoot down the Oriax. But it was no
use. The line of fire now had a direct hit. But still the rounds could not
pierce the armour of such a Meta Suit. Yumi's mecha put out its right hand
to one side. Then a scimitar-shaped beam of energy formulated around
it. Born of pure Qi from the pilot herself. The machine then flew across to
Zagan #2. One powerful slash came down upon that standard military
mecha. Slicing right through it. The machine exploded violently once the
Gauntlet Blade had been dragged out of it. Leaving behind only one Meta
Suit.


The pilot was, by now, terrified. "This can't be. there's no way a Meta
Suit can be this strong! It's just not possible!"


The breastplates on the Oriax opened up again. The energy of the Jupiter
Maelstrom blast was already gathering up. And it was fired just as easily
as before. The third Zagan simply melted away within a roiling wave of jade
Qi-force, one that did not simply shoot down the Zagan, but left absolutely
no trace of it. The beam burnt right across the skies, travelling as far as
the Neo-Shibuya district. All the city dwellers marvelled at the sparkling
green light that brightened and darkened the air all at once. The light of
the heavens. Once it vanished with the end of the beam the Oriax was left
screaming its yell over the space of the city. It had destroyed three
Zagan-types with less than an afterthought.


>From the window of the head office, Celaph and Naam could see the Oriax
and hear its scream. General Naam was astounded by the sheer power of the
mecha, but Commander Celaph just grinned, closing his eyes with a dirty
chuckle. ".For all intensive purposes. this is a setback. But one cannot
speak of the consequences without first speaking of the lesson. as well as
the realities of that same situation."


Naam turned to Celaph. ".What do you mean by that?"


"You wouldn't understand. Because there are very few that actually
would. The bread of the body has been bitten. and the wine of the blood has
been sipped. The rebirth of a Novus Deus, a perfect God, will soon be at
hand."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Ask me no questions and I'll tell you

I'll tell you no lies

Well all is said and done

Does it really matter who's wrong or right

Don't ask me for a reason, I can't explain

Why we hurt each other again and again

As I lie here bleeding I still

I still reach for you


A thousand days, a thousand days

Have passed away

A thousand days, a thousand days

Were captured in her eyes


Your eyes are open now but you know

It's still hard to see inside

When action and intention

Are two separate things

Now I somehow wish I could explain

Why we hurt one and other again and again

Like someone on his dying breath I still

I still reach for you


A thousand days, a thousand days

Have passed away

A thousand days, a thousand days

Were captured in her eyes


Forever we've been

Trapped by our hearts

Trapped by our minds

I'd like to leave

I'd like to win at love


But I just can't let it go

And I just can't watch it slipping away

And I just can't let it go

And I just can't stand another minute


Maybe now someday our shattered lives

Will mend themselves again

But now a million miles away

I still wish I could

And though I somehow know, I can't explain

Why we hurt one and other again and again

Like someone on his dying breath I still

I still reach for you


A thousand days, a thousand days

A thousand days, a thousand days


'A Thousand Days', The Offspring


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Chronicle Two - the battleship Leviathan


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


It's cold.


I'm so cold.


Why am I so cold?


"Why are you fighting it? That's your real question, ain't it? You can't
fight your true nature. That's what it's about."


I don't. understand.


"Is that the way you think? One who is shrouded in darkness must remain so
because it suits her? It's that kind of thinking that brought me to this
pass. Don't shirk your responsibilities and mistake that for wisdom."


What. are. you talking about.?


"Please stop it, you two. I don't want. I don't want to think about all
this right now. please stop."


Darkness. That was all Yumi could see. Pure and utter darkness. Cold and
inhospitable. Ill winds seeped in from an unknown location. And because of
that Yumi felt so cold. But she had no idea which direction the wind was
coming from. Because she had no idea where she was. The hacker stood
upright in the middle of a field of darkness. No one around her. No
trees. No grass. No water. No birds. Nothing. A spotlight crashed down on
her. Allowing herself to at least be seen. Though Yumi believed that there
was no one around to do that. Until three spotlights came down on three
select places around the girl. Which revealed three others.


Three select figures.


On a initial inspection, it might have seemed like Yumi had come into
contact with people she didn't know. But she did know them. In some odd
way. Because they were a part of her. Yumi looked to her right. The woman
standing there was Yumi Mishima. An older version of her. A
twentysomething. A jaded look crossed her face as she dragged a cigarette
in and out of her mouth, puffing out smoke. While her clothes were a
reflection. of at least one aspect of her. An outfit best described
as. slutty. The leather boots and the jacket and the break-away bra. All
her clothing reeked of cigarettes and alcohol, and was stained with
hardened discharge. She was a prostitute.


Hacker Yumi turned her eyes from Prostitute Yumi and looked over at the
spotlight ahead of her. The one that was in between Prostitute Yumi and the
other. She was a young girl. No more than a child. In her hand was a teddy
bear. With her other she wiped the tears from her eyes. Her frilly yellow
dress was covered in blood. Hacker Yumi locked eyes with Child Yumi,
watching her sob uncontrollably. The very sight of her was as frightening
as seeing Prostitute Yumi was shocking. Somehow she managed to take her
eyes away from Child Yumi. Then looked over to the left. Which was when she
found herself gazing at another version of herself. This one was far more
dignified and educated, dressed in a business suit with a female cut to
it. With one finger, Bourgeois Yumi adjusted her glasses by shifting them
up the bridge of her nose, while her cold glance observed Prostitute Yumi
with both disgust and attraction.


Hacker Yumi blinked. "W-what's going on here.?"


Prostitute Yumi sniggered at her. "Looks like the social recluse's got
somethin' to say. Ain't that rich? But then they do say that it's always
the quiet ones, don't they?"


"You have no soul," Bourgeois Yumi suggested, "Do you know that? You are a
complete and utter moron. You treat your body like a commodity for anyone
to sample. Is that how you think you can live? By debasing yourself?"


"But at the end of the day. I'm a lot happier than you are, right? And
isn't that what everyone wants? To be happy? How exactly do YOU fit that
role, you little elitist? Dignity's pretty cool, but, who needs dignity
when you're getting fucked?"


"Pervert!" Bourgeois Yumi yelled, "can you really believe that? You'd lead
this girl along by those selfish desires? When you know that she could be
doing so much more?! Would you honestly seek to free her from self
constraint? Knowing what that would lead to?"


Prostitute Yumi took a drag from her cigarette. Then puffed out a cloud of
smoke. "And if she didn't, would she have survived that attack by those
guys on her and that hot little number Chizuru? Man, do you see everything
in black and white?"


"Maybe that's true. But Yumi also needs restraint. Would you allow her to
live without that? If that is the case then who knows what might happen to
her in the future. If she wants to use her powers and love Chizuru at the
same time then she must do so with proper guidance. She can't do that by
following childish impulses and lusty urges!"


"So you're just gonna let her suffer with her guilt? That's just like you!
She's been coping with that for ten fucking years! That's why she can't
remember anything! Do you wanna reduce her. to that?!"


Bourgeois Yumi turned to the centre of their group once Prostitute Yumi
pointed there. And they both looked at Child Yumi. Who was still crying her
eyes out in her bloodstained dress, while whispering the word 'Daddy'
repeatedly. Both of the adult Yumi's and the teen hacker Yumi watched this
wholeheartedly. Eventually she calmed herself enough to speak to both
Bourgeois Yumi and Prostitute Yumi saying, "I wish. you'd. all. be quiet. I
don't care about power! I don't care about that! I just want my Daddy!"


".Well, this isn't going to be resolved," Claimed Bourgeois Yumi.


who was followed up by Prostitute Yumi, saying, "until you side with one of
us."


Hacker Yumi gazed at them with both confusion and surprise. And all three
of the other Yumis turned around to face her with very different
expressions upon their faces, but they said the exact same thing in unison
to her.


"Or do you choose. death?"

"Or do you choose. death?"

"Or do you choose. death?"


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Yumi stirred, moaning slightly from the throat. In her semi-sleeping state
she could hear sounds. The sound of waves crashing lightly against
shores. As well as the sound of fire. Crackling with embers and bark. But a
controlled fire. It was not the fire of war. Yumi sighed for a moment, then
opened her sky blue eyes. Her head was propped up on a log. Because of this
she looked directly up into the sky. It was night. The moon was full. The
stars were shining brightly in the background. A dark bejewelled heaven
that cascaded over a setting that was not Meta Tokyo. But a region outside
it. Yumi groaned, feeling a throbbing pain inside her skull. Then eased up
on the log. When she looked around she started to adjust to where she
was. And who she was with. She was by the sand of a beach. At a sparse
campsite. In the centre of camp was a fire, lit with wood. And in the far
distance was the intimidating presence of Meta Tokyo. Its gigantic
skyscrapers dominating the city. Then she paid more focus to the ones
around the campsite. Across from her, sitting quite calmly on another log
was Chizuru. And adjacent from Chizuru was a Western male with whom she
felt no affiliation. He was blonde and looked to be about 20 or 21 years of
age. He had his hand stuffed into the pockets of his chestnut brown bomber
jacket, while a sheathed Japanese katana dangled from a strap around the
waist of his denims. He jerked his head with a smile, causing his ponytail
to fall over his shoulder, then eyed Yumi over.


"Hey," He said softly, "you okay?"


Yumi looked over at Chizuru once more, then gazed over at the blonde
guy. "Who. are you.?"


"Who me? It's Terry. Terry Hennig."


"Are you an American or something?" Yumi asked.


Terry sniggered. "Well I guess you could say that. My Mom was an
American. Hence the first name. And my Dad was a German. Hence the second
name. But that really isn't important at this point. What matters is you,
Yumi Mishima. And how you're gonna handle yourself from now on."


".First things first." Yumi looked over at Meta Tokyo, "explain to me just
how I got here. I remember that Chizuru and I were attacked by two men in
front of my apartment building. And then one of them grabbed me by the
neck. After that, everything gets.hazy."


Chizuru squirmed, finally speaking. ".Yumi. maybe it isn't a good idea. to
be thinking about all that right now. Please just try and get some rest."


".But. I want to know, Chizuru."


Terry sighed out of impulse and stepped into the space of the camp. He took
a seat at one of the logs he had managed to salvage for the night they
might be forced to spend here. ".I'll tell you. I guess the stress of your
first time piloting a Qi-Generator Meta Suit was too much for you."


Yumi narrowed her eyes. ".Qi.?"


"The lifeforce of all living things," Terry answered, "everyone has
it. Everything alive or that's been alive has it. The only thing that's
different between people in terms of Qi is the magnitude of it. Some people
have smaller reserves of it. Some people have so little Qi that they aren't
even aware of it until death. But there are others. who have huge levels of
Qi in their bodies. And you're one of them."


Yumi pointed at herself. ".Me.?"


"Yup. It was that Qi force of yours that brought you here, in so many
ways. Once your powers took form. your body teleported itself right into
that Meta Suit. over there."


Terry, Chizuru, and most of all Yumi, turned to the left in the direction
facing away from Meta Tokyo. Yumi's eyes widened when she saw it genuinely
for the first time. The Oriax. It loomed over the campsite with its large
shadow, still beaming with polish and sparkle. The three of them stared at
the bio-mechanical titan with awe and esteem, especially Terry, who said,


"That machine is apparently called the Oriax. A weapon developed by
Protocol for still unknown reasons. I don't know how or why, but that mecha
is connected to you somehow. Once your powers put you inside the suit, I
couldn't catch sight of you. But then I heard the battle that took place by
the Shinrai Complex. I knew that it had to be you. So I followed you
outside the city. And your friend here came with me. By the time we caught
up with you and the Oriax, night had already fallen. And you were
unconscious. The cockpit probably ejected you by itself when it realized
that you weren't able to pilot it any further."


Yumi was dumbfounded. Her eyes rolled up and down to take in the sight of
the Meta Suit. While her neck leaned back to get a full view of the
machine. She had actually piloted something like that? But she didn't even
remember doing it. And for that matter. how did she even know how to
operate it? In college the lessons in manning construction-type Meta Suits
were available to everyone. But not once at Yumi applied for them. It
seemed inconceivable that she could have known how to use something like
the Oriax.


While Yumi marvelled at the Oriax, Chizuru looked over at Terry with a
curious glare. ".I wanna know something."


".Shoot."


"How do you know these things?" Chizuru questioned, "just who are you?
Really? Are you a member of Protocol or something?"


Terry scratched the back of his head with a chuckle. "Me? A member of
Protocol? Heh! That's a laugh! But the fact that you girls have both left a
Meta City without permission of a checkpoint makes things a little
easier. 'Cause you're more or less outlaws now. So I guess there ain't much
harm in telling you. who I work for."


Yumi turned back. "Who. you work for?"


"Yeah. I'm a fighter in the Anti-Protocol Rebel Army. And we call ourselves
Chrysalis. We operate directly under the orders of Father Bartholomeus, the
leader of our sovereign demi-nation; EDEN."


"EDEN? Chrysalis?" Yumi shook her head, "What is all this?"


Terry picked up a twig from the sand and tossed it into the camp fire to
brighten it. "Look. I'm not good with the explanations. Suffice it to
say. that I'm not a Protocol ass-kisser. Those bastards don't give a crap
about who their hurt or who they exploit, just so long as they get their
way. And I'll be damned if we have to suffer them forever. Chrysalis is the
only hope left for mankind. Or what's left of it."


"So you're. terrorists?" Yumi stated.


Terry lowered his head with a grin. ".Not quite. but. I suppose you can see
it like that from your position. You are a Meta City citizen after all."


Chizuru didn't let up. "If you're a member of this Chrysalis thing then
what were you doing in Meta Tokyo?"


"I was looking for Yumi."


The hacker shifted on the log. "You were looking for me?"


"That's right," Terry answered, leaning back, "I guess right now you're
kind of thinking of yourself as a normal kid. But for some reason, Protocol
has an interest in you. And considering that you managed to assimilate with
that Oriax monster over there, I can't really blame them. Our informants in
Meta Tokyo managed to find out about that. So I snuck into the city to
protect you."


"Did you come to protect her or kidnap her?" Chizuru asked suspiciously.


Terry held a hand to his forehead. "Look, I know this is all coming as a
shock to you both. But I'm not here to put you in any nasty positions. For
the most part. we just want to talk with Yumi."


"We?" Yumi looked over at Terry again, "Who else?"


"Our leader. Head of the Ark of the Luria and ruler of the people of
EDEN. Father Bartholomeus. He's a wise old guy. He might be able to answer
some of the questions you've got."


"What if I don't want to go? What if I just wanna go home?" Yumi answered.


"Yeah, well, you don't have any choice in that respect."


Yumi scowled fearfully. "W-what's that mean?!"


"Are you forgetting what you did? It's not like you could have escaped Meta
Tokyo with flight alone. You downed three Protocol Meta Suits to get
free. Not to mention the fact that the guy you killed was an agent for
Protocol as well. If you go back, you'll be arrested for sure."


The claim of arrest didn't bother Yumi. But the comment that Terry made
about her killing someone did. The Japanese teen suddenly saw flashes of
what happened back in Meta Tokyo. Seeing that guy pummel Chizuru with
kicks. Having that other man almost choke her to death. It all came
flooding back. Which was when Yumi remembered what it is that she had
done. In front of Chizuru, she had used her Qi to kill the man that was
holding her. And she would have killed that other guy too if her senses
hadn't come back. THAT was what happened. That was the event that triggered
her union with the Oriax. Yumi had actually. killed someone. The moment
those horrible images came to mind, Yumi screamed hoarsely and grabbed her
head. Her brain ached maddeningly from the force of both sadness and guilt.


"Aaaah!" She yelped, rolling of the log. Terry and Chizuru hurried to her
side to see what the problem was, but Yumi couldn't focus on them, and
yelled, "IT'S NOT TRUE!"


Terry pressed a hand into her shoulder. "Hey, kid, are you alright?"


"Stay away from me!" Shouted Yumi, batting Terry's hand away. The girl then
hopped to her feet and dashed away, leaving the camp with tears pouring
down from her eyes already. Chizuru and Terry stood back watching her
leave. Though Terry was the one most shocked.


"I'll go after her." Chizuru said, then ran in the same direction to catch
up with her.


Terry stood alone, surrounded by the tall shadow of the Oriax and the sound
of the waves. Though his mission was based on Yumi, he couldn't help but
turn a little attention to Chizuru, stating, "Hmm. For a girl who just saw
her friend blow a guy's head into bloody mush. she seems. pretty calm."


Close by to the beach was a small forest area. With plenty of trees and
grass patches surrounding the area. The small forest animals scattered from
the grounds nearby when they all heard the sound of footsteps. Those
footsteps came to a stop when the accompanying sobs took on a new
pitch. The sobs of Yumi. The white-haired girl lowered herself to the
ground and cried, gripping herself by the shoulders. She couldn't believe
it. She just couldn't believe that she was capable of killing someone. It
wasn't her nature. It wasn't her way. And it was all a result of this
horrible power inside of her. Yumi wept, her heart swelling with
anguish. Why did it have to be her? Why did it have to be her who held this
power?


Shortly behind Yumi came Chizuru. The young woman stopped when she reached
the hacker. But she was in bits. Yumi had a very fragile heart by anyone's
standards. No matter how much she tried to distance herself from people. It
could never hide her weaknesses. And especially not from Chizuru.


The long-haired girl reached her hand out. ".Yumi, I."


"S-stay away!" Yumi yelled, ".stay. a-away."


Chizuru sighed, shaking her head. Then she stepped forwards, walking up to
the emotionally-fazed Yumi. The unintentional pilot of the Oriax closed her
eyes to try and end her tears. Not knowing that Chizuru was moving closer
to her. Just until she felt Chizuru's arms wrap themselves around her
waist. Yumi gasped and her soft blue eyes shot open, her sparkling tears
falling from them in the moonlight. Chizuru settled her embrace of the
girl, resting her chin on Yumi's shoulder.


"Please stop crying." She said sweetly, ".I don't like seeing you this
way. You did what you did. to protect me. I don't see any harm in
that. Don't blame yourself.okay?"


".But.?"


Chizuru moaned softly against her ear. "Promise me, Yumi. Promise me that
you won't blame yourself for any of this. Can you do that one thing for
me?"


".Okay."


Yumi still didn't think she could put this behind her. But it did make her
happy to know that Chizuru didn't think of her as a freak. It was a
surprisingly understanding attitude from someone who was normally so
superficial.


"C'mon," Chizuru prodded in a whisper, "lets go back to the camp, okay? We
can't go back to Meta Tokyo now, right? I think we can trust him. You get
going and make up with Terry. I just need a moment to myself."


Yumi nodded slowly and finally got her breathing and crying under
control. ".Okay. Chizuru."


Chizuru released Yumi from her hug and they stood up together. Yumi looked
up at the slightly taller girl with watery eyes that wordlessly thanked
Chizuru for her support. And the look that she gave in reply told Yumi not
to worry about it. With that she walked back to the camp, leaving Chizuru
behind. Once Yumi was gone, Chizuru lifted up her wrist and pulled down her
jacket sleeve. A wrist watch, or something that looked like one, was under
it. And the Japanese girl spoke into it.


"16th of August. Tenth year of Tendo. Mishima, Yumi's Qi has been
unlocked. Contact with a Chrysalis operative has been made."


Over by the beach, Yumi walked back into the campsite. But now a new sound
had been added to the setting. The sound of large motors moving in unison
with tremendous horse power. Wind blew down on the beach, spreading the
sand across and blowing out the flames of the campfire. Terry stood in the
very middle of the encampment looking up into the night sky. As did
Yumi. But her eyes widened when she did so. A huge cylinder-shaped hi-tech
vessel of steel was hovering a good 200 metres in the air. It was
gigantic. So large in fact that it made the Oriax seem small. Yumi had to
yell to be heard over the sound of the running motors of that vessel.


"W-what the heck is that!?" Yumi wondered.


Terry grinned proudly. "Heh! That's Chrysalis's mobile air/sea/land
battleship. Yumi Mishima? Say hello to the Leviathan."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Okay, now begins today's briefing!"


The Shinrai Complex had been on red alert since the escape of the
Oriax. All but those in the top ranks had been obsessing about it. More
guards had been stationed around the walls of the upper level. And Meta
Suits had been shipped in from the Tokyo Bay base for the defence of the
complex. But this was all just standard procedure. It didn't amount to
much. Because everyone knew that the Oriax was outside of Meta Tokyo by
now. Three surveillance teams had been sent out to scour the city. But
nothing had been found inside its districts.


These events were the talk of the Divine Blade. The highest ranking
officials of which had gathered together in the conference room of the
Shinrai Complex's second floor. Over sixty men and women, young and old,
had taken their seats in large rows whilst waiting for General Naam to give
his briefing on the next battle. But even before the briefing, talk of the
mecha that had escaped the compound was rife. Nobody in the ranks of the
Holy Protocol Army had more of an understanding of Meta Suits than these
folk. So it was logical that these events were considered highly
controversial by them.


General Naam stood at a large podium on a slightly risen stage next to the
front of the room. Behind him was a huge video screen which was now charged
for the briefing. Naam continued, saying, "As you all know. there was a
breech of security recently. Because of that, the experimental Meta Suit,
Oriax, has been taken from both the Shinrai Complex and Meta Tokyo. We know
this because our scout teams have discovered no trace of the suit. Thus our
upcoming battle may involve this machine. So I shall instruct you on its
capabilities."


The video screen behind Naam came on, presenting a computerized 3D picture
of the Oriax. The group gasped at the looks of it, while their general
continued, "This is the Oriax. Its capabilities are far superior to those
of normal Meta Suits. Thus fighting it will take a joint effort from
us. Because of the Qi-Generator inside of the mecha it cannot be piloted by
just anyone under the sun. Which should prove the significance of the
current pilot. Now. Its vital statistics. The Oriax possesses no thermal
energy weapons but has the ability produce a curved energy knife referred
to as Gauntlet Blade from its left hand. Both of the hands of the mecha
contain hidden twin Gatling Guns that hold a maximum of 8000 bullets for
either hand. It has the power to fire that ammunition at a 200 bullets per
second rate. It also possesses a Wave/Anti-Wave Generator in addition to
its Qi-Generator. This gives Oriax the power to produce sonic wave patterns
and counter other wave patterns with Anti-Wave ones. The power of sound is
useless against it because of this. Underneath the chestplate of the
machine is a jewelled form of energy that is connected directly to the
Qi-Generator. From this comes the attack known as the Jupiter Maelstrom. A
highly concentrated beam of energy well surpassing a heat of 2,500 degrees
at less than 50% of its full capacity. If you expect to stay alive. don't
get in the path of that beam. Those are the Oriax's skills in terms of
offence. In sheer capability, it manipulates Zero Gravity Movement;
i.e. flight. The Qi-Generator also has the ability to produce spherical Qi
Barriers to protect the mecha. Its strength, speed and firepower outclass
any individual Meta Suits that are in the possession of the Divine
Blade. However if we attack it in a series of coordinated waves I am sure
that it can be bested. Now. I want all of you to prepare for the next
battle. Soon we will being our attack on EDEN. Once our plans have been
finalized, you will be briefed on them as well. That ends today's
briefing. Return to your quarters at your own leisure."


General Naam then stepped off the podium, walking away toward the
door. Leaving his soldiers to ruminate on what he had told them. And on the
image of the Oriax on the screen. All the same, most of them stood up and
talked it over as they left. But three particular men (and one woman) of
the group did not move. They sat at the back of the conference room whilst
watching the representation of the Oriax on the screen.


The 'leader' of those four soldiers, a Swiss pilot - Kraepelin, smiled at
the video screen. "Hmm. It's an impressive beast, that's for sure. I can
see why the Upper Council wants the Divine Blade to deal with it."


A slightly younger Canadian black man, Steed, sneered at the suit and its
description. "The General is overreacting about it. It only took down three
Zagan-model Meta Suits. Our Amon-type suits outgun those old models hands
down."


"Don't underestimate it," Claimed the Welsh pilot Ry, eldest and wisest of
the bunch, "our Amons are powerful. but the Ochiai Research Team have
created strong mecha in the past."


The female of the group, the Australian girl known as Aria, crossed her
arms and chuckled. "I heard that those production-model Baal-type Meta
Suits that have already been deployed for the defence of Ix Nos Babel and
the Lunar Station, had their operating systems created here at the Shinrai
Building. Think there's a connection?"


"It doesn't matter, either way," Kraepelin added, "if we're ordered to
bring it in, we'll bring it in. If we're ordered to destroy it, then we'll
destroy it. We are soldiers after all. We don't have to worry about the
reason. Only the result. The one created by our hands."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The Leviathan was unlike anything Yumi had ever seen before. A vessel that
not even the Trigger Mode software she had downloaded could have
conceived. It was a technological paradise. Steel and iron framing almost
everything. The lifts, computers, vending machines, lavatories, showers,
televisions and internet terminals were all controlled or powered by a
central computer that acted as the brain of the ship. Such ships had often
been denounced as pure fiction on all the forums and message lists that
Yumi had toured in her time. Yet this was real. And it didn't have a single
scrap of metal supplied to it by Protocol. This technology was purely of
the world outside of the Meta Cities. The villager would that, until now,
Yumi had had no contact with. She, along with Chizuru, was led through one
of the many steel halls of the upper level of the Leviathan by Terry.


Once the ship had come to the beach, the three of them were allowed to
board it. And the Oriax had been taken up into it bowels. In the hanger
would be the Meta Suit itself. Along with a few combat Meta Suits created
by Chrysalis and for Chrysalis. The sky-mode ones were called
Uvall-types. The land-mode ones were called Gusion-types (they too had
flight capabilities but not to the same degree as the Uvalls). It was
certain that they were to be used against Protocol, at least in Yumi's
mindset. Which was when it finally sunk into her head that Terry was not
bullshitting her. He really was a member of an anti-Protocol group. But
what bothered her was the fact that she had never heard of them before. And
it was something she was sure to ask about when Terry got them to the
bridge. While the three of them walked through this particular corridor,
Yumi looked over at Chizuru. She was shocked by the advanced technology of
it, too. But she seemed to be taking special note of it. Which Yumi found
odd. For the most part, Chizuru had never really seemed interested in
technology.


Terry suddenly stopped walking when he reached a door. And so, Yumi and
Chizuru did the same thing. The blonde boy then turned his head and
smiled. "This is the bridge, girls."


The half-American, half-German swordsman grabbed the handle of the metal
door before them and opened it. He walked inside while motioning Yumi and
Chizuru to follow him. Which was when they were treated to the sight of the
bridge. Which was equally as hi-tech as the rest of the Leviathan. All the
terminals, dials, computer screens, sonar & radar meters showed that
much. Four people were manning the controls of the helm, with a huge video
screen in the background, curling around the head of the room. And aside
from themselves, there were two other people in there. Two women, who stood
at the upper platform above those at the helm. Obviously the ones who were
in control of the actions of Chrysalis and who ran the Leviathan. All
people on hand were dressed in gold and green army uniforms, each armed
with a small pistol as a firearm.


Terry saluted the older of the two women at the platform, an action that
Yumi took to mean that she was the commander of this ship. "I'm back,
Colonel! And I brought the very same girl that Protocol's been obsessing
over. Yumi Mishima."


The woman whom Terry had addressed as colonel crossed her arms, her
shoulder-long locks of forest green hair flailing about. Her eyes looked
Yumi up and down to observe her, then her gaze turned to Chizuru
Matsubana. ".And what of this one?"


".The name's Chizuru, lady," She replied indignantly, "and I'm with Yumi."


Terry waved her off when Chizuru and the colonel started glaring at each
other. "Uh. don't worry about Chizuru, Colonel. I can vouch for her and
Yumi."


"Fair enough, Lieutenant Hennig," She said, "let me introduce myself. I am
Cecelia Faye Beatrix. Commander in action of this group we call
Chrysalis. We follow under the teachings of the Ark of the Luria and
operate from this ship; Leviathan."


Chizuru scratched her temple. ".Ark of the Luria.?"


".I suppose you could call it our. religion," Beatrix said, "but for now,
let me introduce you to my crew. This young woman standing beside me is
Major Sophia Mariette. My. second in command."


Sophia nudged her spectacles up the bridge of her nose, nodding to both
Yumi and Chizuru. "A great pleasure."


Colonel Beatrix turned back around, her black shoulder cape flocking around
her right arm. Then she extended her hand to the people at the helm of the
ship's controls. "These are the helmsmen and women of the Leviathan. And
the man that brought you here is Lieutenant Terry Hennig. But I assume he's
already told you that. This ship is the very forefront of the Anti-Protocol
efforts. We have over 380 people living here at this point in time. Our
Gusion and Uvall Meta Suits are ready to be deployed at any moment for a
strike against them. With that and the Leviathan's Gamma Cannon to contend
with. it seems our existence has become a hot topic within the system. But
all we strive for is to do down the group that infests the world right
now. The fall of Protocol is our chief agenda."


The stereotypically ditzy Chizuru suddenly seemed quite serious when
dealing with them. "You're being a bit too trusting, don't you think?
What's to stop us from taking this information straight to the
authorities?"


Beatrix chuckled, shutting her eyes. ".Heh, heh, heh. Is that so? Has it
not occurred to you that you are an escapee? Leaving a Meta City without
formal written permission is a criminal offence under Protocol's
doctrines. Correct? In which case. you really don't have much in the way of
options. Such a crime carries a stiff sentence of at least five years
imprisonment. Or perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps you would enjoy spending
the rest of your youth inside a prison camp."


Whatever outspoken attitude Chizuru had plucked up was now gone, because
she silenced herself in that instant. Terry winced at the sudden distaste
between Chizuru and Colonel Beatrix, and pressed a hand into his second
charge's shoulder. ".Um. why don't you try not to over-think things,
Chizuru. We aren't the bad guys here. We will take good care of you and
Yumi."


Beatrix looked away. ".We are not here to intimidate anyone. And I won't
force you into anything either. All I request is that you speak with our
leader. Father Bartholomeus. If do that then we can at least assure your
safety."


".I'll cooperate for now," Yumi said, "but I want to know a few things
first."


Sophia looked at Yumi. "Like what? What can we help you with?"


"EDEN and that Luria thing," Yumi put forth, "what is it all?"


It seemed that the Major would be answering that. "Sure. Well I can tell
you that EDEN is our home. You see, those who reject Protocol's way of life
have only two choices. To live in the outside world or die in the Meta
Cities. But the outside world is. extremely dangerous. The conflicts of the
Great War cast irreparable damage on the world. Living in the Meta Cities
is vastly different from the constantly unstable life outside of them. The
energy barriers that enfold each city gives them protection against most
natural disasters that occur as a result of that nuclear war. But for the
1.5 billion people out of the line of safety, that wasn't an option. So
forty three years ago, Father Bartholomeus led a campaign of salvation. And
he, along with thousands of other young men and women, built the
fortress-city of EDEN. It is the teachings of Father Bartholomeus that
guide us. And those teachings are called the Ark of the Luria."


Yumi nodded. ".I see."


"So what's your answer?" Beatrix questioned, "will you meet with him?"


Before Yumi could give her an answer, one of the helmsmen called out to
Colonel Beatrix in urgency. "Colonel! We've just received a message from an
unknown Meta Suit!"


"A Meta Suit? Where?"


That same guy began tapping a few keys on his terminal. The video screen at
the head of the bridge then flashed with an image of the night sky. It had
been a few hours since they had picked up Terry, Yumi and Chizuru from
those Japanese beaches. By now they were well over the Pacific Ocean, miles
from Japanese soil. The scene on the video screen reflected that. In the
far distance of the night there was a Meta Suit, hovering over the sea. It
was of pure black steel, lined in certain parts with streaks of white. From
its metallic back extended a pair of wings, giving it a total wingspan of
88 metres. Made of a silvery-blue energy that had to be the pilot's
converted Qi. The green eyes in the face of the mecha glowed brightly in
the darkness. It didn't move a muscle but just waited in a distant position
that put it directly ahead of the Leviathan. Everyone stared quietly at the
screen. Was this an attack from Protocol?


Sophia mused. "Is that a. Protocol Meta Suit?"


One of the helmswomen replied. "We aren't sure, Major. But it's less than
160 metres ahead of the ship. We'll crash into it in less than four minutes
if the thing doesn't veer off."


".Stop the engines," Beatrix ordered, "take us onto silent running on hover
mode. If this one is challenging us then we have to deal with it, in case
they follow us to EDEN. Measure its Qi level and scan for any other Meta
Suits."


"Roger!" Replied that helmswoman. She tapped some codes into her terminal
and figures appeared on her miniature computer screen right ahead of
it. She studied the mini-screen for a second, then gasped wildly, "oh my
God!"


"What is it?" Terry asked.


"There are no other Meta Suits around, at least not within the 2300 meter
range of the scanners, but the computer says that. this Meta Suit is
currently operating at a Qi level of over 11,000!"


Beatrix's eyes widened. "11,000?! Are you sure?"


"But that just can't be," Sophia whispered, "there is no pilot alive who
has a synchronization level high enough to produce a Qi reading of that
magnitude. Even the highest ranking pilots of the Divine Blade can only
muster a level of 6,500 at the most."


Beatrix pressed her hand into her hip. "What about that message? Patch it
through."


"Yes ma'am." The third of the helms people typed in a few codes into his
terminal. Then that static-ridden message was produced aloud from the five
large speakers on the ceiling and walls of the bridge.


".TER.RY. HE.NNIG.."


All eyes turned to the young swordsman of lieutenant rank. And he was
confused. As was everyone else. Terry pointed at himself in that
confusion. ".That pilot wants me?!"


Chizuru looked over at Yumi. ".For a moment there, I thought that it wanted
you."


".Yeah." Sighed the hacker.


Terry jerked his 'dirty blonde' ponytail over his broad shoulder and
smirked. "Dah well. If that thing wants me then that's exactly what the
dude's gonna get."


"Are you serious?" Sophia asked, "how are you going about it?"


The young man smiled at her. "With my Meta Suit, how else?"


One of the people at the helm, who also happened to be a mechanic for the
Meta Suits on the Leviathan, swivelled around in his chair to look at Terry
sincerely. "But Lieutenant Hennig, the Bishamon isn't completed yet! It
still needs a few adjustments before you even think of piloting it!"


"Don't worry about it," He said, "I've seen the specs. Its Operating
Systems, Gatlings and Zero Gravity Movement are all online. And that's all
I need for this one."


There was little any one could do to argue with him. Though he was a calm
young man, he could also be very hot-blooded. It showed in his great
piloting skills. Beatrix smiled grudgingly and nodded to him as
consent. She knew that he had to do it. Terry saluted her and then ran to
the door of the bridge. He opened it then shunted himself out into the
corridor. Terry rushed through the halls, past all the other Chrysalis
personnel about. At the end of that corridor was a lift. Once he got to the
far wall he tapped one of the buttons on the control panel. The metal doors
opened up. And he entered the lift. The button he pressed would take him
all the way down to the Meta Suit Holding Chambers. A few moments later the
lift went directly down to it. And the doors opened up for him once
more. Terry ran out. But this time he was surrounded by the sight of Meta
Suits and the towering railings that surrounded them. As well as the sound
of metal clanging against metal and the smells of oil and cold
steel. Across from him by thirty or so metres was the Oriax. Which,
thankfully, was not resonating with this mystery Meta Suit. Terry bolted
across the metal platform that was erected more than eighty-nine metres
above ground level of the hanger. Past the large heads of Gusion and Uvall
Meta Suits. Until he came to his own.


The Bishamon.


Terry grinned as he reached the head of the mecha from the upper
railing. It was of a different design to the others. More like the Oriax in
some cases. Except that Bishamon's body was painted a slightly dark
red. Its design was also less sleek than that of the Oriax. Yumi's suit had
a more lithe, feminine look to it. The Bishamon was stockier and
larger. Over its shoulders and thighs were multi-segmented plates of
armour, alike with Japanese Samurai armour. Next to the suit was a large
weapon. A 32-metre long Katana. Its true strength was that it worked with
thermal properties in connection with the Qi-Generator. Of course that
sword wasn't ready yet, so he couldn't use it.


Terry just ignored that for the moment and climbed down the metal ladder
next to the Bishamon. Which brought him down to the secondary metal
platform. Once Terry came into close contact with the 'stomach' of the Meta
Suit, its doors opened for him. Revealing the cockpit. The blonde boy
jumped into the dark opening and took a seat, grabbing the control
sticks. The doors then closed up for him, and the whole thing brightened up
when the Bishamon came online.


"I've missed ya, buddy," Terry muttered, ".I haven't fought with you in a
while, have I? Well, this is what Mom and Dad would have wanted, after
all."


Terry tapped on the keypad to bring up a visual image of one of the
helmsmen in the bridge. "Hey! Open the hanger doors!"


"Roger!"


The steel doors below the feet of the Bishamon opened slowly. The Meta Suit
dropped out of the Leviathan and into the skies that the Leviathan was
hovering in. Directly below it. Bishamon's Zero Gravity Movement ability
kicked in instantly. And blue trails of propulsion energy trailed behind
its feet when the suit flew forwards. The Bishamon flew straight out of the
shadow of the Leviathan, peeling up from its long underbelly, and out into
the open night skies. From this point on, Terry could see the unknown Meta
Suit in the distance. It really was waiting for him. But who was inside it?
That he would find out if he had anything to say about it. The Bishamon
flew straight ahead, crossing the gap between the Leviathan and the unknown
suit. The Bishamon flew to a stop when the gap between itself and the
mystery suit was only sixty metres.


Terry yelled at the thing from the speakers built into the mouth of the
Bishamon. "You called my name? Well here I am! Now what's your deal? Who
are you?"


The voice of the pilot also spoke through the mouthpiece of his/her own
Meta Suit. ".You may call this one. Asmodeus."


Internally, Terry noted that the pilot of the 'Asmodeus' had an
unmistakably feminine tone to it. "Asmodeus, huh? So that's the name of
your mecha? Fine! Now what do you want from me, eh?"


The Asmodeus didn't make an immediate reply, staying mute. "."


"Hey, are you listening to me?"


The woman inside the Asmodeus then replied with, ".You are
under-unarmed. Even with a Qi level of 5,600... you can only fight to 65%
of your Meta Suit's true capabilities without its weapon."


Terry sneered. ".Are you kidding me? Just what is it you want? A battle? If
you want a battle then why did you ask for me? And how the hell do you know
my name?!"


".You've grown up strong."


"Huh?" That one struck Terry hard, ".do you. know me.?"


The Asmodeus flapped its energy wings backwards, and it flew out of the
path of the Leviathan ship. The woman that was inside the Asmodeus answered
the young man soon afterwards. ".When you find yourself with all of your
strength. when you find yourself possessed by the demons of your past. you
will see me again. But until that time. goodbye."


The thrusters at the legs of the Asmodeus kicked in. And it zoomed away
like a jumbo jet into the darkness of the night. The Bishamon floated in
the air as Terry sat in the cockpit in confusion. Who on earth was that?
And what did she mean by 'demons of the past?'. As his Meta Suit hovered in
the air, a transmission came in from the Leviathan. The face of Sophia,
leaning over the shoulder of one of the helmswomen, came into view on a
mini-screen.


"Lieutenant, are you alright?" She asked, "what happened?"


Terry leaned back on his seat and exhaled. "You know. I'm not even sure,
Major. I think. that the pilot of that Meta Suit knows me somehow. But I
haven't got a clue who she is."


".I see. Well get back in the hanger. Don't waste any of your fuel on
this. fluke. Besides. EDEN is calling us."


Terry blinked. ".What makes you say that?"


"Just look ahead."


Terry lowered the head of the Bishamon so he could see what Sophia was
talking about. A good distance ahead, on the horizon of the sea, was a
metal structure. It seemed rather small from that great distance. But it
was definitely big. And definitely a sight for sore eyes.


In the cockpit, Terry grinned at that sight. ".Home sweet home."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The Ochiai Underground Research Facility had been on high alert since the
escape of the Oriax. But that had not stopped the flow of the experiments
that would be taking place there. Or the transactions that would be going
down either. In one of the many long white corridors that was built into
the laboratories underneath the Shinrai Building, the commander of the
Japanese Protocol forces, Celaph, was walking along. He passed by many
doors as he walked, right through the hallway. Until he reached a certain
door. The one he was looking for, number 347. On that pure white door was a
silvery metal plaque that read a sole name on it. "Freeman Ronove."


Celaph stuck a hand into his trousers and pulled out a key card. He swiped
the key card through the control panel by the door. And the automatic lock
was thereafter released. The door shifted open with a puff of very cold
air, and Commander Celaph walked in. The room was cold and covered in
frost. So much so that every time Celaph exhaled he breathed out a cloud of
chilled air. But the leader of the Japanese forces was not concerned with
himself. He only looked forwards to the glass cylinder in the centre of the
room. It contained a light blue liquid. And inside that liquid was the body
of a human. A naked young man, curled up in a fetal position.


Celaph pulled a smile. ".So. It's time once again to awaken you. I am sure
that the previous generation's Thanatos wasn't nearly as problematic as
you. Isn't that right, Mr. Ronove?"


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Far from reach

How the serpents preach

Life is a sin when the shepherds are breeding

In the quiet place

Force the mind to erase

So the people pray to the distant drummer

These are primitive times

These are primitive...

These are primitive times

No care, no less

Divine surplus

Be it man or...

Ashes cover the man

Which the decades demand

And paves the way for the sick and the dying

The devil hides his tail

Behind the virgin's veil

So the dead can dance to the distant drummer

These are primitive times

These are primitive...

These are primitive times

No care, no less

Divine surplus

Be it man or ...

Ashes fall like rain

As the blind go insane

The shepherds fall to the feet of their martyr

Baptized with gasoline

Holy flame, unholy scene

As the ashes rise to the distant drummer

These are primitive times

These are primitive...

These are primitive times

No care, no less

Divine surplus

Be it man or ash!

Not man or ash

Not man or...

Not man or ash

Not man or ash

Not man or ash

Not man or...

~ 'Man or Ash', Corrosion of Conformity

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Chronicle Three - respect and/or hatred, the Garden of Eden

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


If a Meta Suit was to Leviathan what an ant was to a human, then the
Leviathan was to EDEN what a human was to a city. Yumi had thought that the
Leviathan itself was large. But EDEN was just something else. From a
distance it looked like an oil refinery. But once the Leviathan had gotten
closer to the structure, Yumi and Chizuru could clearly see that that was
not the case. It was a fortress city. Covering over one square mile of
territory, deep in the middle of the pacific ocean. The entire city was
held up from the sea by a series of metal underwater pillars. Ones that
reached all the way down to the bottom of sea level. Once the Leviathan
came to the edge of the way, the people at the helm made contact with those
at one of the fifteen Control Rooms of the rebel city. The operatives there
knew of the Leviathan. And so didn't even request proof of identity. The
gigantic bay overhanging the inner hanger opened up into two sections. Both
doors separating underneath the ship while beacon lights were flashing
across the east 'deck' of EDEN's ground level landing bay. The Leviathan
was cleared for entry so it landed into the east hanger through those
opening doors. The ship control centre of the Chrysalis slowly descended
from above to the darker innards of one of the four EDEN hangers. Dozens of
men and women yelled to each other with handheld beacon lights to help
guide the ship down. A good ten minutes later the ship safely touched
ground, the connection between the two echoing loudly. Despite the fact
that it was made with the lightest defensively sound alloys known to man,
the Leviathan weighed at least 800 tons. Such a loud sound was
inevitable. It was decided by Commander Beatrix that only a few people
would disembark, herself included. Their main priorities were restocking
the Leviathan with arms and fuel, repairing and upgrading their Gusions and
Uvalls. Besides that, this trip back was only for showing Yumi to the
leader of both EDEN and the Ark of the Luria. Father Bartholomeus.


>From the side hull of the ship, one of the doors slowly opened up. The
metal door extended outwardly until its tip touched the floor of the
hanger, 30 metres below. Out from that came Beatrix and Sophia. Behind them
was Yumi, Chizuru and Terry. And behind those three were a few others that
would be coming with them. The others of Chrysalis would remain on the
Leviathan until the commander came back. Yumi descended down the steps of
the extended door, then looked over to her left. From the lower left of the
Leviathan, its large side doors into the Meta Suit hanger had been
opened. She could see the large mechas Oriax and Bishamon being moved out
of the ship via a moving conveyer belt and guiding energy beams. But Yumi
didn't know how she felt when she looked at it. The Oriax had caused her to
leave Meta Tokyo and safety. Did she feel connected to that thing
regardless of that?


Chizuru put a hand on Yumi's shoulder. "Hey. Are you okay? I know that this
must all be a little. overwhelming for you."


".I-I'm fine," Yumi answered, ".I think I'm more concerned about you,
Chizuru. It's because of me that you've been dragged into all of this. I'm
sorry."


"Don't apologize. I'm okay with it. As long as I'm here with you."


Yumi turned a tiny little smile and blushed, while Terry looked ahead
towards the far wall of this hanger. ".I'll be taking the pair of you to
see Father Bartholomeus. I think you'll find him to be an interesting
man. We think very highly of him here."


"Why me?" Chizuru said, "Why am I coming? Not that I mind or anything."


Terry crossed his arms over his chest. "You're Yumi's friend, aren't you? I
know from experience that people feel more comfortable in foreign places
when they have someone familiar around. The two of you should stick
together here. EDEN can be a little intimidating when you're on your own."


Chizuru looked at Terry. It seems that comment meant more than he gave
off. She could tell that Terry had felt that way when he first came
here. The brave pilot of Chrysalis probably wasn't always so brave. The
group came off the long stepping way and touched their feet to the steel of
EDEN. A few men were already at hand to greet Commander Beatrix and Major
Mariette when they arrived. Beatrix addressed them for a moment then left
with the others to go about her business. They would only be stopping on
EDEN for a few days. After that they would move onto their next
mission. They marched from one side of that extremely large hanger over to
the furthest wall. To the south. The eighteen-metre tall doors into the
steel citadel opened for them when they came to it. This led them to a
separate corridor of the layout. It was a big forked hallway that they came
to.


Beatrix closed her eyes. "Lieutenant Hennig."


"Uh? Yes, ma'am?"


".Please take Miss Mishima and Miss Matsubana with you to see Father
Bartholomeus. No delays. I am sure that he is eager to meet with them."


Terry saluted his commander. "Yes, Colonel Beatrix."


Beatrix turned to Sophia. "Major Mariette? You'll be coming with me."


"Roger."


Then the group split into three. Yumi, Terry and Chizuru marched straight
ahead with Terry in the lead to direct them to Bartholomeus'
quarters. While the Chrysalis operatives along with them turned to the
right to reach one of the control rooms. It was them who would be
organizing the repairs necessary for the Leviathan and the Meta Suits it
had on hand. Beatrix and Sophia turned to the left. And kept walking until
they found a quiet side room for utilities. Beatrix took a key card out of
her pocket and swiped it through the control panel. Then opened the
door. They walked in and closed the door behind them. The two then stared
at each other for a moment. Then lunged at each other. Their lips connected
with a burning swiftness that truly displayed how passionate they were
about each other. Sophia moaned whilst Beatrix pressed her hard up against
the door of the utilities room. And they kissed fervently. Sophia wrapped
her arms around the taller Beatrix's shoulders and neck. And moaned again
when she felt the older woman slip her tongue between her lips. The
commander of Chrysalis ran her thigh between the younger woman's legs and
parted her dark green military skirt. Though her smooth pantyhose Beatrix
could feel Sophia's wetness as clear as day. The musky smell of it began to
rise into the air, joining the sound effects of their lips smacking against
each other. As well as the light moans and the sound of their uniforms
being ruffled in the embrace. Finally Sophia broke their kiss, gasping for
breath, feeling Beatrix's strong hand cupping her left breast through the
fabric of her uniform.


".Cecelia." Sophia muttered breathlessly.


Beatrix pressed the tip of her finger to Sophia's lips to shush her, all
the while her thigh was stroking up and down the blue-haired girl's
underwear-masked vulva. ".Don't say anything. I probably should have waited
until we got to my room. But we have so little privacy on the Leviathan. I
suppose I just. couldn't control myself."


"I don't mind," Sophia admitted, "I feel the same way, Cecelia. We must
keep this a secret from the troops. It could cause complications if we
don't. And I can't honestly say that your grandfather would approve. But
I'm okay with that. As long as I can be with you. even for just a brief few
minutes at a time."


Although she didn't often do so, Beatrix smiled. Lustfully. "Oh,
Sophia. Hearing you speak like that. makes this so much harder."


Then she instantly dove at the flesh of the girl's neck. Sophia moaned
aloud and held onto the taller woman, feeling that stroke between her
thighs increase in pace. And while they expressed their 'love' in that
particular utilities closet; Terry, Yumi and Chizuru had made it to the
door of Bartholomeus' room. Thankfully he didn't reside too far from the
east hanger. The three of them waited at the door of the corridor until
Terry knocked on it. A light flashed on the control panel. One that
indicated that the door was already open. So he pressed the button and it
shifted to one side. Terry, Yumi and Chizuru walked inside and marvelled at
its innards. It was a large chamber. At least fifty by fifty-five metres in
size. The floors were covered in oriental rugs and multi-coloured throw
pillows. While the walls were decorated with scrolls that depicted direct
Latin excerpts from the Bible. Over to the far wall of the room was an
altar. Four candles of incense burned from it, and that particular smell
wafted around the room. Yumi didn't like it much but she could tolerate
it. Just before the altar there was a wooden chair. And on that chair was a
certain man. An elderly man that looked to be about seventy years of age
sat on that chair like a throne. His regal black and gold robes extended
all the way to his sandaled feet. And his long grey beard trailed down to
his lap.


Yumi stared at him. ".Are you. Father Bartholomeus?"


Terry nodded. "Uh huh. This is our absolute leader. Bartholomeus Beatrix."


Chizuru blinked. "Beatrix? Does that mean that you.?"


"Yes," This time Bartholomeus answered her, ".commander of the mobile army
Chrysalis; Cecelia Faye Beatrix, is my granddaughter. I am very pleased to
be meeting you. Miss Yumi Mishima."


"O-of course," Yumi gestured towards Chizuru, "this is. Chizuru Matsubana."


Chizuru bowed her head to the Father for a moment. "It's nice to meet you,
sir. I hope it's okay that I came with Yumi."


Father Bartholomeus stared at her for a moment, then bobbed his head in the
exact same way, replying with his extensive, lingering voice of
wisdom. "Think nothing of it, my dear. EDEN is a home for
humanity. Rejection of residence is not our way of life. And I am glad that
you have both reached here in good condition. The teams of soldiers sent
out by Protocol often track escapees from the Meta Cities without fail."


"What about the people of EDEN?" Asked Yumi.


"Out of the 950,000 people that live in the citadel," began the priest,
"less than 2% of them were born in Meta Cities. They only managed to join
us because of the cloaking abilities of the Leviathan. They escaped to it
and were able to flee to EDEN. Which I am grateful for. Because people
should have the option to escape the current way of life in the Meta
Cities."


Chizuru ran a hand through her hair. "So you built EDEN for that?"


Bartholomeus smiled. ".The name EDEN is an abbreviation of four Latin
words. The first e is for 'Ecclesia' which means Church. The d is for
'Deduco' which means to found a colony. The second is e is for 'Enimus'
which means at a distance. Finally the n is for 'Natio', which means
nation. My way of thinking, the Ark of the Luria, is based upon
contemporary Christian teachings. Those shackled to a force that it cannot
quite agree with it should be given the opportunity to shirk it, if they
wish."


". And what makes your way any different from Protocol's? It's not like
Christianity has always been a force for good." Chizuru asked directly.


"That is a fair comment," Bartholomeus said, "but to judge the dogma of a
faith by the way the followers of that faith carry them out is quite
unfair. Ark of the Luria offers choice above all else. From Protocol comes
the strain of which we are afflicted."


Chizuru locked eyes with him. "But you're prepared to remove a choice in
life by defeating Protocol, aren't you? Where's the option in that?"


".For many years we have sought to co-exist with the rule of Protocol. All
we asked was that those who do not wish to live under its reign were given
rights to govern themselves outside of Protocol's sphere of influence. And
we were denied that entitlement. Thus forced to live out our lives in
seclusion, afforded less rights than those of a criminal. People who
dislike Protocol's system of governing were reduced to no more than
political radicals. And so we were forced to flee elsewhere. To build a
free nation of our own. That is EDEN. But there are still billions of
people suffering Protocol's tyranny. For those people to gain freedom. the
chains that restrain them must be broken."


"But what have I got to with that?" Yumi wondered, "Terry said that
Protocol had some sort of interest in me. If they do then what is it? I'm
just a normal college student."


".Well," The old man began, ".I cannot honestly tell you that I am in the
know of Protocol's plans. But what little I do know. I will
share. According to the teachings of Protocol's scholars; thousands of
years ago there was a time when humanity was deeply connected to each
other. A time when life was plentiful and we understood how to live in
harmonious balance with nature. This was overseen by what Protocol calls a
'God' and was supposedly a period of great kinship and
knowledge. However. There was a sole human being who sought to monopolize
the shared knowledge of humanity. That person attempted it. Thus shattering
both the inter-connections between men and the connection with that
'God'. But it did not escape unscathed. It was corrupted by that act, which
Protocol calls the 'Second Sin'. That corruption caused it to become
imperfect. The God then seems to have died because of those
imperfections. I think that Protocol now seeks to. resurrect that God."


Though this was supposedly the first time that Yumi and Chizuru were
hearing this story, it was Yumi who was startled by it. "They actually want
to. resurrect a God?"


".Or rather an organism that acts in God's place," Bartholomeus replied,
"the events of the death of Protocol's God took place in the space of seven
days. And that week is known as The Seven Keys."


Yumi became thoughtful. "The Seven Keys.?"


"What is it?" Chizuru asked.


"I received an e-mail yesterday morning," She admitted, "I thought that it
was junk. But it did mention something about the Seven Keys. I remember
that."


Bartholomeus smiled. "I see that the e-mail I had my followers send
actually reached your computer."


"That was you?"


The modern Christian man nodded. "Yes. Because although it might not seem
it, Yumi, you are an integral part of their plans to revive this God of
theirs. So I must ask you. Have you ever dealt with Protocol in the past?
Do you have any idea as to what they plan to do with you?"


"No." Yumi said softly, ".I mean. I've dealt with Protocol no more than any
average person has. as far as I know I've never been heavily. involved with
them."


Bartholomeus pulled up an eyebrow. "As far as you know.?"


".Well. I don't have many memories. before the age of thirteen. So I don't
know what happened. until then. I have. no parents now. I think I
can. recall a father. but I don't even remember his face, let alone his
name. There are instances. when I see myself as a younger girl. I. see
myself crying. And. my dress is. covered in blood. with. c-corpses all
around me. but I don't know if it's a dream. or a. memory."


Father Bartholomeus ran his fingers through his beard. ".I see. It might be
possible that you had contact with Protocol before you lost your memories
of the past. But make no mistake about it. Our sources are sure that you
are important to them. I feel that way also. Even now I can sense
tremendous inner strength from you, Yumi. And if I might be so bold. I
would like to make a request?"


".A. request.?"


".We need your strength," He said, "to stop Protocol. And you need a home
to reside in from now on. I would like to ask you to assume citizenship on
EDEN. and assume a role as a member of Chrysalis."


Yumi's eyes enlarged. ".Join Chrysalis.?"


"Yes. Will you help us?"


There was a sudden flash of that dream/memory image of a child Yumi, her
dress stained in blood, running through the hacker's mind at that
point. With it came a throbbing pain in her skull. Yumi grabbed her head
and scowled, but retained her glance on Father Bartholomeus. ".Y-you mean
become y-your soldier!?"


"No, Miss Mishima, that is not what I-"


"W-well it seems like it to m-me!" Yumi cried loudly, her cranium in pain,
"I have this. horrible power inside of me! One that controlled me into
killing someone! I won't do that again! I'm NOT a killer! I just want to be
a normal girl! I won't be a murderer for you or for Protocol!"


Bartholomeus sighed at that declaration, looking downwards. Terry, who had
said quiet throughout all this, now spoke up. "C'mon, Yumi. I know that
this is hard, believe me I do, but if these guys really wanna bring back
some dead deity from the grave, you know that isn't not gonna be a good
thing. For all we know it could give them unlimited power. But we could
stop them. If you'd join us we would be so much better off. We could-"


"It's not my concern!" Yumi shouted, ".I just want to be normal!"


"Well. believe it or not, you aren't," Terry retorted, "you've got a power
inside of you that can protect both you and those around you. Even if it
means sacrificing yourself, aren't you prepared to defend those who have no
means to defend themselves?"


".It's not my concern." Yumi repeated.


Now Terry found himself getting angry. ".So you'll just sit back and
whimper when innocent people are crying out for help that you know you
could give? You'd turn your back to the millions of men, women and children
trapped inside the Meta Cities just like you were up until yesterday?!"


Yumi looked away, averting his gaze. ".Why should I care about the lives of
others. when I don't even care about my own.?"


A loud snarl tore through the room. Followed by the palm of Terry's hand
when he slapped Yumi across the face. The white-haired teen yelped and fell
backwards. Chizuru gasped and quickly kneeled to her side, while Father
Bartholomeus looked on with shock. Terry lowered his hand and scowled,
ignoring Yumi's tears. And the one of his own that ran down his left cheek.


"You. fucking. coward!" He barked, ".you're no different than those
Protocol bastards! If you can stand there and tell me that you'd ignore the
suffering of others just so you can feel better about yourself then you're
worse than they are! If you wanna stay there and sulk then that's your own
goddamned prerogative! But don't you DARE expect pity from me!"


The half-American, half-German youth turned his back to the sobbing Yumi
and marched out of the room, walking out through the doorway. Chizuru
cuddled Yumi by the shoulders, while Father Bartholomeus stood up from his
chair with a sad expression.


"Please. forgive him," He said to the pair, ".Terry Hennig is a good,
kind-hearted boy. But there can be times when his anger will run away with
him."


Chizuru helped Yumi back up into a standing position, holding her fast,
while saying, "What the hell is his problem? If Yumi doesn't wanna fight,
then."


The elderly priest looked on solemnly. ".He has a problem with people who
possess power. but choose not to use it for the greater good. His childhood
was. very traumatic. Not unlike yours I assume, Yumi."


Yumi held a hand to the bruise on her cheek. ".Like me.?"


"Yes. Terry has no parents. They were both killed when his village was
caught in the middle of a Meta Suit training exercise. I am told that he
was only eight or nine years of age when it happened. The proctors of that
examination were Protocolian pilots working for a constabulary from the
nearby Meta City. However. they did not act. And Terry's entire village was
destroyed. Out of the 500 people living in the village at that time, Terry
is thought to be the only one who survived. They were all killed in the
crossfire. Including his much loved parents. Ever since then he has had a
crippling hatred of those who abuse power. and those who shirk the
responsibilities that come with it. I think the two of you might be able to
understand each other better than I ever could."


Yumi held her sore cheek and cast a glance back at the door. All this time
and yet the blonde youth had been dealing with the same loneliness as she
had. ".Terry."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Have I not kept this in reserve

and sealed it in my vaults?

It is mine to avenge; I will repay.

In due time their foot will slip;

their day of disaster is near

and their doom rushes upon them."


Deuteronomy 32:17 - 'The Song of Moses'


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Night fell on the quiet pacific seas around EDEN.


It had been at least twenty hours since the Leviathan had landed in the
hanger, and Yumi & the others had disembarked. Twenty hours since Yumi and
Chizuru had spoken with Father Bartholomeus about Protocol. Twenty hours
since Terry's outburst. Yumi hadn't seen him since then. Thankfully one of
Bartholomeus' other attendants showed she and Chizuru around in place of
him. They had been allowed to check out a few things inside EDEN. But it
was the size of a small city, so she couldn't see everything that it had to
offer. But that was okay for now. By the time night had come down on EDEN,
Yumi had finished her touring of the structure. She just wanted some air
and the truth was that she couldn't concentrate on the layout of the
place. All day she had been thinking about what Terry had said. And what
Father Bartholomeus had asked of her. Which was why she went out to the
upper level of EDEN. She found herself on a small metal balcony sticking
outwardly from the eastern side of the city. From there she could look down
and gaze at waves of the sea, crashing against the pillars holding up
EDEN. Or look out unto the setting of the night and the stars that sparkled
in it.


The night was so very beautiful.


But always associated with darkness.


Yumi couldn't help but feel that she too was experiencing something of a
similar situation. This power boiling within her body was very influential
and important. But it had brought her nothing other than insecurity and
fear. Could she really use it to fight? She didn't want to kill people. She
could spare lives on the battlefield. but what was to say that that power
wouldn't overtake her again and kill them anyway? There was no assurance
that in the heat of battle, she would be able to keep her cool. If killing
one man instantaneously was just the tip of her strength, then it was truly
frightening to think that something worse would happen if she lost all
control. But she could make a difference with this power. Could Yumi really
turn her back on the people out there who wanted to be saved from Protocol?

Yumi leaned idly over the red-painted railing of the metal balcony and
sighed.


"What should I do.?" She whispered.


A male voice called out to her from behind. ".Yumi?"


She knew that particular voice. The white-haired girl looked up when she
heard that certain someone lean their elbows on the railing like she had
done. It was Terry. The blonde boy looked out unto the sea and stars,
admiring them.


".Beautiful, isn't it? The scene from here."


Yumi watched it. ".Yes."


".I'm sorry I hit you, Yumi." Terry apologized, "I had no right to do
that. And I should know better. My mom always told me never to hit a
girl. It's just. sometimes I get angrier than I want. I find it hard coping
with certain views. So I lash out. A shrink in the medical area told me
that I have unresolved mental issues brought on by trauma. But I guess
using that as an excuse would make me the coward."


Yumi lowered her head. ".Don't. apologize, Terry. What you said was
true. I. suppose I wasn't being very considerate. There are other people
with similar problems to my own. at least in a psychological sense."


Terry pulled a grim smile. "The Father told you then, huh?"


"I'm so sorry," Yumi said in earnest, "I know that it can't have been
easy. To watch your village be destroyed. And growing up without your
parents. I know how. lonely that feels."


"It's pathetic, isn't it? It happened over eleven years ago. but I still
can't move on. I remember. after those Meta Suits went home, I was too
afraid to leave. The village had been burned down but I couldn't leave my
Dad's corpse. My mom's body was nowhere to be seen. But I saw her get
killed. I spent an hour by my dead dad's corpse because I was too afraid to
leave the place that had been home to me up until then. When I finally
stopped crying I got myself together. I dug a grave, buried my dad, then
left. I drifted for days in the forests without so much a slice of bread to
eat. I collapsed from exhaustion at some point. By the time I woke up I was
in another village. A woman had found me in the forest and took me with her
to her home."


"A woman?"


Terry widened his grim smile. ".Colonel Beatrix. But that was before she
had become colonel. She was visiting a friend at that village and was
helping her pick herbs when she found me. Though she doesn't always seem
it. Colonel Beatrix is a kind woman. When it became obvious that I had no
home to go back to, she let me come with her to EDEN. Which was when I came
to regard this place as my new home."


"I understand," Claimed Yumi, "but then. why did you become a pilot? If I
had been in your position I would have hated Meta Suits from my heart."


"What would be the point of that, though? The Meta Suits were powerful. But
power isn't good or bad. It doesn't govern itself. Tragedy is caused by
people who abuse power by using it the wrong way. I'm not arrogant enough
to say that I'd know the right way to manipulate power. But. my mom taught
me well enough to know the difference between right and wrong. And Protocol
are wrong. They have to be stopped before they do that to anymore innocent
children. That's why I became a pilot. I'd give anything to assure that no
other little boy would have to make that choice."


Yumi smiled gently whilst looking at the sea. Father Bartholomeus was
right. Terry really was a kind-hearted guy. ".I can respect that, Terry."


The Hennig boy exhaled and turned, facing Yumi. He placed his hands on her
shoulders, turning her around to face him. He gazed honestly at
her. "Yumi. You don't have to fight if you don't want to. Like I said
before, I didn't bring you here to force you into anything you didn't wanna
do. Whatever you choose. I'll support you in it. I think that's the least I
can for you. Of course."


Terry's bright smile finally returned. ".fighting alongside a pretty girl
wouldn't be so bad, right?"


Yumi blushed and looked downwards, staring at her sandals. Terry chuckled
at that, letting go of her shoulders. "Heh, heh, heh. Relax. I'm not
hitting on you. It's Chizuru you love. right?"


".Y-you. know about that.?"


"It's all over you," Said Terry, ".have you told her yet?"


Yumi shook her head. ".No. I'm afraid. of what her reaction might be. I've
already asked a lot of her. and she's been so kind to me about. what
happened. in Meta Tokyo."


"Don't make my mistakes, Yumi." Terry told her, "if you have something you
wanna say to someone then tell them before its too late. 'Cause you never
know when something's gonna happen to prevent you from doing so."


".I suppose you're right. But still. it's never easy for people like us. to
share our feelings, is it?"


Terry didn't answer. At that point he was staring hard into the night
sky. Yumi expected some response so looked over at him when she didn't get
one. And she saw that serious expression on his face. He was looking at
something. Yumi cast her gaze in the same direction as Terry. Off in the
distance, there were lights in the sky. A few of them were. growing in
size. Then Yumi gasped when she realized that that light wasn't
growing. but rather moving.


Terry growled and dove for Yumi. "Get down!"


The two teens fell to the ground. And that light rushing their way came
straight at EDEN. It smashed into the iron frame of the upper level,
causing a huge explosion that swallowed up a small section of the
deck. Right next to the landing planes and cargo carriers. The combustion
rocked the immediate area and caused debris to be spewed from the explosion
point onwards. Including over the balconies. Terry shielded Yumi from the
blasted scraps of wood and metal with his back. He grunted at the pain, but
bore the weight of it. Flames rose up above. And smoke spread from that
point. EDEN had been attacked by a beam cannon. Looking out into the sky,
Terry could see hundreds of blue lights. Which he knew to be the exhaust
energy of Meta Suits. The blonde man rolled off of Yumi once the debris
stopped falling, and the girl stood up, looking confused as ever
before. "What. is happening.?"


".Ah! Why, those bastards!" Terry growled loudly, "It's Protocol! They've
found EDEN somehow!"


Yumi stared quietly at the Meta Suit army that was coming their
way. ".Protocol? But how. did they get here.?"


"Yumi!" Terry quickly rushed to the doorway, but looked back to address
her, "Hurry! Find one of the attendants and have them lead you to one of
the shelters! I've gotta get to my Meta Suit!"


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The Shinrai Building.


As Commander Celaph sat on the chair of his desk, he once again found
himself looking up towards the ceiling at the screen coming out of it. And
at the images on that screen. Those of the three hooded men known only as
the Triad of the Inquisition. Once again they were enshrouded in
darkness. And once again they were speaking to the current commander of all
Protocol's military power in Japan.


Celaph clasped his gloved hands together. ".It is as you say. The Thanatos
has been awakened from his slumber and is now being shipped to Ix Nos
Babel. I find that his temperament has changed slightly. Perhaps cryogenic
suspension was actually beneficial for him in the long run."


"That may be so," One of the three said, "but there is still the matter of
his other half. The Eros. Our attempt to catch her was fruitless. And as we
all know. she escaped Meta Tokyo with the Oriax. This is no longer within
the jurisdiction of our abilities. You will have to find her."


Celaph smiled. "She has already been found."


All three men looked on, until the second said, ".You have located the
Eros, Celaph?"


"Yes," He confirmed, "she has been monitored for sometime