Title:BGC Blues 5 : Illusions Part 5/5
Author:Shehulk
A Story of Bubblegum Crisis
Linna paddled out into the churning sea and passed several surfers who
were on their way back in having decided that the sea was becoming too
rough. They called out warnings to her and she waved to show that she had
heard them, but pressed on. The water was becoming increasingly choppy and
she could see some truly huge waves rising in the distance. She turned the
board around and drew several deep breaths as she waited for one to arrive.
A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she
turned to her right in time to see another surfer pull into position
several yards away. The woman was wearing a black and red wet suit, but
Linna couldn't see her face clearly from this distance. She raised a hand
in greeting and then returned her attention to the approaching monster.
?????
Sylia watched Priss finish off the rest of the champagne and eyed her
warily as she approached the tub, easily recognizing the devilish gleam
that meant she was about to be pounced upon. "You're kidding? Don't you
ever sleep?"
Priss climbed into the bathtub, shaking her head. "Nope. Gave it up for
sex." She slid completely under the water and Sylia felt her hands on her
thighs, pushing them apart. "Priss!" The touch of Priss' mouth on her had
Sylia gripping the sides of the tub and trying not to scream as Priss'
tongue rasped against her oversensitive flesh. "You'll drown!" But Priss
had prepared for that and Arashi was hard at work as she pleasured Sylia.
It wasn't long before she heard Sylia's scream of release and she surfaced
to find Sylia staring at her in amazement. "H-how did you do that?" Priss
laughed and helped her from the water. Sylia swayed unsteadily as Priss
gently dried her off and then carried her into the bedroom. Sylia suddenly
realized that it was one of the things that had been bothering her. "You
keep carrying me everywhere. You're not that strong."
Priss sighed and crawled onto the bed beside her. She propped herself up
on her elbow and stared down at Sylia seriously. "I had Arashi increase my
strength."
"What? Why Priss?"
She reached out and tugged Sylia's bangs slightly. "Because I don't intend
to be that vulnerable to anyone ever again."
Sylia rolled closer and slipped her arms around Priss. "I'm sorry, Priss."
Priss laughed and returned the embrace. "Nothing for you to apologize for,
Sylia."
"I can't help but remember how opposed you used to be to these kind of
enhancements."
"Things change." There was an edge to her voice that disturbed Sylia and
she searched Priss' face.
"Priss. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Sylia." Priss began to kiss Sylia's throat but she wasn't
letting her distract her again.
"No, Priss." She pushed against Priss' shoulders. "You're not fine.
Something terrible happened to you, but you act like nothing's wrong. But I
see it, Priss. I see that shadow in your eyes and I wonder how long you can
keep running from it."
Her face might have been carved from stone. Priss stared down at Sylia and
when she spoke her words where harsh. "I'm not running from anything. I
know damn well what happened, Sylia. Trust me, I haven't forgotten an
instant of it." She moved off the bed and went to the window, staring
blindly at the sea.
Sylia pulled the sheet around herself and met Priss' eyes in the
reflection. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just worried about you."
"Well don't worry, Sylia. I'm alive and I intend to stay that way. All
this has done is bring things into focus for me."
"What things?"
Priss turned around, watching as Sylia stood up, and approached her, the
sheet trailing behind her. "You. My singing. The Knight Sabers. My life."
"I don't understand."
Sighing deeply, Priss wondered how to explain something she couldn't
really define. "I'm not sure I can explain it." She cupped Sylia's face in
her hands and kissed her softly. "Like that kiss. I am totally aware of
this moment and no matter what happens I will always remember it. Every
thought I have had, every action that I have made is vividly fresh in my
mind. I can remember the exact way you felt in my arms a week ago as
opposed to the way you felt a few moments ago. I remember the taste of
every kiss we've shared since I returned."
Her mind reeled as Sylia realized what Priss was saying. "That's
impossible. Has Arashi done something else to you?"
"She says not. Arashi has been trying to figure out why this is happening,
but truthfully I don't care why it happened I'm just glad it did." Priss
touched her fingers to the furrow between Sylia's brows. "Don't scowl
Sylia. I'm all right." She smoothed the lines away and kissed the tip of
Sylia's nose.
"Priss, I want to run some tests when we get back, okay?"
Chuckling at Sylia's request, Priss swung her up in her arms and took her
back to bed. "Of course, Sylia. Whatever makes you happy."
?????
Linna was smiling broadly, as she waded ashore and she glanced back to
make sure that the other woman had made it to the beach. She saw her
paddling towards her and waved. As she drew closer, Linna realized that she
knew the woman. "Reika?"
Reika Chan walked out of the surf and stabbed her sleek board into the
sand beside Linna's. "Linna!" They embraced warmly and then settled
themselves onto the sand. "What are you doing here?"
Linna smiled. "Vacation. I know why you're here. I saw the ads about your
concert. It's a total sell-out!"
Reika nodded. "Yes, it's going to be great. Are you coming to the show?"
Linna shook her head. "Afraid not. Like I said, a sold out show. But
that's okay. Your schedule said that you're heading to MegaTokyo next and
I've gotten us tickets for then."
"Nonsense. Give me the name of the hotel you're staying at and I'll have a
couple sent over." She grinned suddenly. "Us? Anybody special?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact she is." Linna watched Reika's eyes widen. "Nene
and I have been together for a couple of years now."
"Nene? As in Nene Romanova?" Reika was surprised and not only by the fact
that Linna was seeing another woman. "Isn't she a little... young?"
"She's done a lot of growing up. We all have."
Reika sighed and the sound was melancholy. "Yes. Sometimes I feel as if
I've become ancient; jaded."
Linna frowned slightly. "Jaded? Why?" She studied the other woman closely,
noticing for the first time the small lines of tension bracketing her
mouth. "What's wrong Reika?"
Reika laughed suddenly and it was forced. "Nothing. Just a little worried
about the tour I guess." She glanced up the beach and Linna followed her look.
Two men were standing several yards away and from the dark glasses and out
of place suits Linna pegged them as bodyguards. "Since when do you need
protection? I thought that no one knew you were Vision?"
Reika shrugged and stood up, brushing the sand from her legs. "They don't
but my manager insists." She smiled and hugged Linna before stepping
towards the men. "It was wonderful to see you again Linna. I'll send those
tickets to your hotel." She waved slightly and walked away, her surfboard
tucked under her arm.
As Linna made her way back to her rental car she felt a trickle of unease
as she suddenly realized what image had been emblazoned on Reika's surf
board: a white tiger.
?????
Sylia stirred restlessly and reached out to the empty space beside her in
the huge bed. "Priss?"
<I'm on the balcony, Love.>
Sylia knew that she would not be able to return to sleep without Priss
near and sat up with a small sigh. She had become so accustomed to sleeping
in Priss' arms over the last week that she could no longer stand to sleep
alone. Two years we've been together, but now it's all changed and I'm
still not sure how.
She didn't feel quite steady as she swung her legs over the side of the
bed and Sylia realized that Priss seemed to be trying to love her into a
state of exhaustion. <Something's off here. She wasn't this... driven before.>
= She's been through a lot Sylia. That kind of experience changes a
person... or breaks them. =
<Yes, but maybe you'd better add a little enhancement to my strength and
stamina. I can barely keep up with her right now.>
Taisei snickered softly. = I'll get started. =
The robe Priss had stripped off of her last night was lying on the floor
next to the bed and Sylia pulled it on before stepping onto the balcony to
join Priss.
Priss stood at the rail, dressed, but bare foot, watching the sun rise
over the ocean. Sylia wrapped her arms around Priss' waist and rested her
chin on her shoulder, feeling the hard edge where flesh and metal merged.
"Good morning."
Priss felt Sylia pressed up against her and told herself sternly that they
really needed to talk. This in mind, she did not turn around and pick Sylia
up to carry her back to bed, buut instead continued to watch the changing
colors of the morning sky. "Good morning, Love. Sleep well?"
Sylia chuckled faintly. "I think the expression is 'like a log'."
"Good. We're leaving today."
Something in her voice told Sylia that there was more to her announcement
than first appeared. "Are we going home?"
Priss pulled out of her arms and picked up a file from the table. "No. At
least, not for long." She handed the file to Sylia. "We'll pick up the van
and our suits."
Sylia saw the picture in the folder and froze. "This is...?"
"Yes."
Sylia stared at the picture and felt a primitive rage begin to burn deep
within her. This is the woman who hurt Priss. "You know where she is?"
"Yes. She's not that far away from here actually. We should be able to
have her by tomorrow night."
Sylia looked into Priss' eyes and couldn't suppress her shiver at the
thinly veiled hatred simmering there. Priss would not tell her what had
been done to her and at times Sylia wasn't sure she wanted to know. "Well I
guess I'd better pack."
Priss blinked at her pleasant, almost eager tone, dispelling the shadows
from her own eyes. "No bringing up Knight Saber rules about personal
vengeance?"
Sylia reached out and cupped Priss' cheek, holding her gaze as she spoke.
"I never told you about the twelfth rule."
"The twelfth?" There were only eleven rules that Priss knew of but since
Sylia had created the first eleven she was entitled to add another.
"Nobody hurts you and lives."
"Want her dead, huh?"
"I want to tear out her heart and eat it."
"Damn, Sylia." Priss hugged her tightly, feeling a decidedly foolish grin
spreading over her face. Had Priss held any doubts that Sylia loved her
then they would have been dismissed with her fierce declaration. "Don't I
feel loved."
Sylia brushed her fingers over Priss' lips. "You are loved and not just by
me, but by your whole family. Me, Linna, Nene and Mackie, we're your
family." She kissed her lightly and Priss felt tears clog her throat. "And
family takes care of each other."
"Sylia." Priss swept her up and tossed her over her shoulder, striding
into the bedroom with obvious intent.
"Priss!"
"Well hell, Sylia. You can't expect me not to make love to you after that?"
As her robe was thrown open and Priss began to kiss her breasts Sylia
protested, "What about Kutsuu?"
Priss didn't even bother to raise her head. "Not a problem. It's not like
she knows we're coming after her." She rose up and tugged off her t-shirt.
"She thinks I'm dead, remember?"
?????
Kutsuu heard the key rattle as it connected with the lock and wondered
what housekeeping was doing here so late. She set her drink down and went
to the door, reaching it as it swung open.
Priss stood in the doorway, her smile just this side of vicious. "I have a
promise to keep."
Complete shock held her immobile and she didn't notice the balcony door
slide open to admit a figure dressed in white armor. "You're dead."
Priss laughed and shook her head. "No, but if you're lucky and I feel
generous... you might be."
A metal hand clamped over Kutsuu's shoulder and she looked back to see her
own distorted reflection in the visor of a Knight Saber.
?????
Linna smoothed the lotion over Nene's back automatically, not really
paying attention to what she was doing. In her mind, she followed Nene as
they moved through the system and tried not to get left behind. <What's
you're hurry?>
Nene laughed impishly. <I want to do this and get back so I can
concentrate on what you're doing.>
<In that case, we could just call the restaurant and make reservations.>
<I guess it is a little extreme to do it this way, but it's so much fun
when you're with me now-.> She broke off as she ran into something in front
of her. Nene looked up into the hazy features of Tsumari and gasped. ** You
scared me! **
His voice sounded strange when he spoke. ** I have found you at last. **
Nene frowned in confusion. **You know where to find me all the time,
Tsumari. What's wrong?**
He reached out and the dark tendrils trailing behind him surrounded her,
yanking her away from Linna.
Linna cried out in protest as a sword appeared in her hand. ** Let her
go!** The strands around her seemed to erupt and Linna found herself under
attack by the system itself. They tangled into a dark, wriggling mass and
the sphere raced towards her. She slashed her way through the tentacles
that tried to grab her, desperate to reach Nene. She saw Nene flinch and
then heard her scream as the shadow creature pulled her away.
<Nene!>
Seiki was frantic. = No! He's severed the connection! Linna you have to
stop him! =
<What? What connection? What's going on?> She hesitated and the orb seized
the opening and Linna.
= He's taken her mind, Linna! I can keep her body alive, but you have to
find her and quickly! =
Linna began to swing her sword, frantically trying to get free of the
infection that was trying to overwhelm her. <Nene!> There was no answer and
as the strands wrapped around her arms, she realized that she needed help.
?????
Sylia watched Priss haul the chain up with what could only be described as
delight. Kutsuu was hanging from her wrists and Priss had torn her shirt
off before she'd strung her up. "Priss?"
"Yes, love?" Priss lit a cigarette and watched her captive's eyes.
"What are you doing? I thought you were going to question her."
"I am... eventually."
Sylia didn't like what she was hearing. "Priss, you're not going to...
torture her, are you?"
Priss laughed and looked at her. Sylia gasped at what she saw in Priss'
face. "What's good for the goose...Besides, you said I could kill her any
way I liked." Kutsuu swallowed hard.
"I didn't mean torture! Priss this isn't like you." Sylia knew she had to
stop her. "You'll never forgive yourself if you do this, Priss."
Priss dropped her cigarette and stepped on it before striding towards her.
"Why don't you go upstairs Sylia? You need to get some rest and this
doesn't really concern you."
"How can you say that? This isn't-." She broke off as Priss' hand slipped
up around her throat.
Priss kissed her forehead and cupped her face with her metal hand. <Sylia,
do as I say.>
Something was under the surface of Priss' words and Sylia could see the
dark shadows shifting through her eyes. Suddenly she was afraid of Priss.
"Priss?"
Priss walked her out of the lab, shutting the door behind her. She pushed
Sylia into the wall and stared into her frightened eyes. "Don't question
me,Sylia."
"Don't threaten me."
The menacing expression cleared suddenly as Priss smiled. "I'm not
threatening you, Sylia. I just don't want to upset you."
"Then don't do this. This isn't you Priss. If you do this then it will be
one more nightmare. Let me do it and then we'll get on with our lives."
Priss sighed and kissed her cheek. "No. I have to do this, Sylia. Please,
go upstairs?"
"I can't do that. My God, Priss! How can you ask me to?"
"I'm not discussing this with you anymore, Sylia. I have to do this."
Priss moved quickly and threw Sylia over her shoulder. She marched to the
elevator and set her down inside, punching the button for the top floor as
she left. The doors slid closed before Sylia could catch them and she
pushed the button for the lab, but the car was already in motion.
<Arashi lock out this floor and code it so that Taisei can't break it.
Then lock down the building so that Sylia can't leave.>
= Priss...=
<Do it! Or I'll have to tie her up. The choice is yours.> Priss walked
back into the lab and smiled at Kutsuu. "Now where were we?"
?????
Sylia struck the panel in frustration. "Damn! She's locked me out. Can you
break the code?"
= I'm not sure. Arashi's rather good at this kind of thing. I think she's
been studying up.=
<Try.> Sylia ran into the apartment and slid behind the desk. She brought
up the building's security cameras and selected the lab camera. The screen
remained black. "She's thought of that too. I have to stop her, Taisei."
Taisei had been checking all the other systems and realized that Sylia was
trapped on this floor.= I don't think you can. She's locked out all of the
elevators and even secured the stairways. We're trapped here.=
Sylia shook her head slowly. "No. I made this building. I'm never trapped."
?????
Priss watched the blood pool beneath Kutsuu's body with grim satisfaction.
"I'm sorry that I don't have time to do this right. I know you're something
of a perfectionist."
Kutsuu bit back a cry as Priss opened another small wound on her chest
with the energy blade and gasped. "Quite... all right. Sometimes... one has
to rush."
Priss focused her thoughts and could feel the hum of energy charging
through her fingers. She touched Kutsuu's chest and electricity jolted
through her body. Kutsuu cried out as the energy continued to coarse into
her and finally Priss removed her hand. She struggled to breathe, her lungs
felt like they had been burned and they had. Priss' fingers left five small
marks on her skin and she could smell the singed flesh.
"I had that added to the design especially for you."
"I... I'm... honored." She screamed again as Priss touched her again.
Kutsuu gasped out, "At... least I was... right! You... you are a Knight Saber."
Priss smiled grimly. "Yes, but that doesn't tell me how you found out."
Kutsuu shook her head quickly. "I have no idea. I was hired to extract
information from you. I have no idea how Genom found out."
Priss sighed and shook her head. "Now why don't I believe that?" The metal
tips of Priss' hand returned and Kutsuu shrieked as her body convulsed.
=Careful Priss. She's fading. =
Priss cut the current and stared at Kutsuu. "You are loyal to Genom and
you know that I'm not about to let you leave here alive. Why cause yourself
more pain than necessary?"
Kutsuu's laugh was more of a gasp. "You...make a good... interrogator."
"Hmm. Needs must." She didn't see Sylia appear in the doorway behind her.
Sylia gasped at Priss' words, revealing her presence. She stepped into the
room and met Priss' incredulous gaze calmly.
"How did you...?"
Sylia shrugged. "I built this place, Priss." She looked at Kutsuu and
sighed. "I see I owe you an apology."
Priss didn't reply, but reached out and yanked the neural leads from
Kutsuu's head making her jerk as her mind returned to the real world.
Kutsuu looked down at her body in surprise. There were no wounds, no burn
marks and she stared at Priss in confusion. "I... I don't understand."
"Of course you don't." Sylia stood in front of her and let her see the
full depth of her hatred. "Snakes rarely see above their own level." She
looked at Priss, her expression softening. Sylia took her hand and squeezed
it tightly. "I would have just shot her or maybe a nice lynching with a
celebratory dinner after. You're much more inventive than me, but I have an
idea that you might find amusing."
Kutsuu suddenly realized that she had been better off with Priss. Sylia's
reluctance to torture Kutsuu had not been because she felt that torture was
wrong, but because she had been worried what it would do to Priss.
<What did you have in mind?>
Sylia seated herself at her computer and brought up the command program
for the nanos. <Taisei? Arashi? Do you think you could infect a set of
nanos long enough to do a little exploring in Kutsuu's mind?>
Arashi laughed as she realized what Sylia was suggesting. = Oh yeah, I
could do that. How about it Taisei? Wanna step into this sick bitch's mind
and screw it up some more? =
While Taisei wasn't as bloodthirsty as Arashi, she was willing. =Sure. It
should be fairly easy to find the information we need. =
Priss found herself strangely reluctant. <I don't know. Getting her to
talk is one thing. Ripping the knowledge from her mind...>
Sylia understood her hesitation. "Priss, she tried to kill you. She
violated your mind and your body, trying to break you. If you would let me
then I would have a go at skinning her alive, but I don't think that will
make her talk."
Kutsuu waved goodbye at any chance she might have had at escaping this alive.
Sylia prepared the nanos and approached Kutsuu with the syringe. "Now I'm
afraid that this won't hurt, but we can't have everything." She injected
the nanoclusters and stepped back.
Kutsuu forced herself to laugh. "I'm extremely resistant to drugs. They
won't affect me."
Sylia laughed and strolled over to the small refrigerator in the corner.
She pulled out two sodas and tossed one to Priss who had to admit that she
was amused by Sylia's attitude. "Oh that wasn't a drug. It was a saline
solution that contained several thousand micro machines called nanobots."
"Nanobots are just a theory. No one has ever-." Kutsuu broke off as she
realized why Priss had been so resistant to her drugs and torture. Why she
was alive after being dead. Sylia Stingray had succeeded where everyone
else had failed. She paled. "What are they going to do?"
Sylia shrugged. "They'll search out the information that we need and then
remove any knowledge of us and the Knight Sabers from your mind."
Priss straightened at that. "I thought that it was dangerous to remove
information from the brain."
"Oh it's going to leave some rather unpleasant holes in her memory, but
nothing fatal." The disappointment in Sylia's voice was evident.
Arashi skimmed through Kutsuu's memories of torturing Priss and resisted
the urge to kill her. The sexual pleasure that Kutsuu had felt as she beat
Priss was almost more than Arashi could stand and it was only Taisei's
calming presence that kept her from lashing out. She finally found what
they had been looking for and sent the information to the main computer.
The nanos within Kutsuu would deactivate soon and pass from her body,
leaving no trace. Taisei focused on rendering her unconscious while Arashi
began to strip Kutsuu's mind of anything relating to the Knight Sabers.
When she was done, she went back in and began to make a few other changes
to her mind.
Taisei found her a few minutes later, altering the things that stimulate
the pleasure center in the brain. =What are you doing? =
=Payback's a bitch. = She finished her changes and released the nanos
within Kutsuu so that they would deactivate.
They reported to Sylia and Priss, but said nothing about what Arashi had done.
Priss carried the unconscious woman down to the garage and then drove her,
at Arashi's suggestion, to Paradise Loop the central hangout for
prostitutes. <She might not make it out of there alive, Arashi.>
=Do you care? Really? =
Priss dumped her body behind a trash can and shook off a strange sense of
déjà vu. <Let's go see what Sylia's found.>
?????
Linna felt herself reel under the attack and knew that she was in trouble.
She tried to focus on the others and sent out a desperate plea, <Sylia!
Priss! Somebody help me!>
Kuraki heard the frantic call and automatically replied, forgetting that
she was not the Sylia that
Linna was calling to. <Linna! What's wrong?>
<Thank God Sylia! I need help, I'm being attacked in cyberspace and I
can't get free.>
<Hold on, I'm coming. Rihi?>
Rihi did as she asked, refraining from pointing out how dangerous this was.
Kuraki plunged into the system and followed Linna's signal back to her
former teammate. She saw the virus swell towards her and Rihi supplied the
knowledge she needed in an instant. Kuraki bit back a cry of pain at the
sudden influx of data and concentrated on dispatching the program. A ball
of light burst from her hands and surrounded the virus, causing it to turn
in on itself and dissolve.
Linna was on her knees and as Kuraki helped her to her feet, she laughed
softly. <Christ, Sylia! And I thought Nene was good at this web stuff. That
was incredible.>
Sabishii appeared beside them and glared at Linna angrily. <What's going on?>
Not sure why she was so upset Linna told them what had happened. <I
couldn't stop him, Sylia. He was too powerful. Seiki is keeping Nene's body
alive but we have to find her mind, or soul or whatever part of her that's
trapped here.>
Sabishii gripped Kuraki's arm and spoke quietly. <This isn't our problem.>
Linna blinked. <What? Priss what are you-.> She broke off as she realized
that this was not Priss. <My god!> She looked at Sylia. <What are you doing
with her, Sylia?>
Kuraki shook her head and turned to Sabishii. <She doesn't see the
differences?>
Sabishii looked at her and realized that she looked exactly like Sylia.
Kiji piped up. <In your minds, you still see yourselves as you were, not as
you are now.>
Kuraki pictured how she looked now and Linna saw her shimmer slightly and
then gasped at the subtle differences. <I'm not Sylia... I'm her clone. My
name is Kuraki.>
Her... clone? Linna could not believe it. Sylia cloned herself? No, she
wouldn't have. Linna glared at Priss' clone and saw that she too had
changed. The dark brown hair and vivid green eyes were striking, but did
nothing to cool Linna's temper. <What did you do to them? Why didn't they
answer me?>
<I don't know why they didn't answer; maybe they're out of range.>
Sabishii was impatient. <Lets go Kuraki.>
<But Sabishii, what if Linna can't contact the others? It's Nene.>
Sabishii groaned. <Damn it. All right, but I'll go. You're not strong
enough yet.>
<I am perfectly fit.> Her tone brooked no argument and Sabishii rolled her
eyes.
<Fine. But if things get bad you're out, agreed?>
The slow rise of an eyebrow was Kuraki's only reply, but it was enough.
Sabishii turned to Linna. <Now where was this thing heading when it took Nene?>
?????
Kutsuu woke up the next morning with a splitting headache and a large rat
sitting on her chest. She screamed loudly and the rodent fled, but Kutsuu
didn't notice as she stared around her in confusion. "Where am I?" She
couldn't remember leaving the hotel. Kutsuu got to her feet, swaying as her
head pounded at the motion. She stumbled out of the alley and found herself
in an extremely rundown section of town. "How did I get here?" She rubbed
her aching head and began to walk down the street, ignoring the pale
shadows that huddled in the doorways that she passed. They watched her with
knowing eyes and when a dark car pulled up along side her, they weren't
surprised to see the woman approach it.
Kutsuu leaned against the car and felt herself smiling oddly. She couldn't
seem to stop herself and as the man flashed some money and told her what he
wanted, she was appalled to find herself agreeing and getting into the car.
He slid his hand under her skirt and she realized in shock that she was
aroused. What's wrong with me? As the car drove on the man asked her if
there was anything she liked in particular and Kutsuu replied automatically
and unwillingly. "Pain. I like pain."
She gripped the seat in panic, unable to make herself move as the fingers
touching her turned hard and only knowing that for some reason she deserved
this.
?????
Nene felt strange, like she had lost something important, but didn't know
what. As she gradually became more aware, she realized that she couldn't
move. Nene looked down at herself and gasped. Black strands wrapped around
her, holding her in place within a huge, web of infected links. She
strained against her bonds, but they didn't move. <Linna? Seiki?>
A shadow rose in front of her and she stared at it with frightened eyes.
**Why have you done this? Where's Linna?**
The laughter that emanated from the entity was eerily familiar and Nene
wondered where she had heard it before. **I brought you here to act as bait
for my trap. Your friend is exhausting herself in a vain effort to reach
you. Does that cover everything?**
**What trap? What are you talking about? ** Something was wrong but she
couldn't put her finger on it. ** Tsumari... what's happened to you? **
A gentle voice reached her. ** I am Tsumari, Nene. ** Nene saw him appear
beside her and looked from one being to the other, easily seeing the
difference now that they were together. ** But if you're Tsumari...who is
this?**
The darker being ignored her and faced Tsumari. **I knew you would come to
rescue your little friend. Now I'll destroy you!**
?????
Sabishii cursed as the strands of another virus tangled around her legs
and she sliced through them with her energy blade as Kuraki continued to
fire bolts at the dark sea of orbs that surrounded them. Linna realized
that they were not getting any closer to finding Nene and she called to the
others. <This isn't working! We need a new plan!>
Kuraki had been trying to find the origin of the infections, but she kept
being blocked by the viruses, as if they knew what she was trying to do.
<We need help! Sabishii, we have to call the others!>
Sabishii gritted her teeth as one of the tendrils lashed out and struck
her face. <Damn it! All right! Linna, see if you can raise them.>
?????
Priss filled the glasses with iced tea as Sylia switched on the news and
returned to the kitchen table. The simple lunch of salad and sandwiches
struck Sylia as being terribly domestic and she smiled faintly.
"What?"
"I just realized how nice this is. We're not running off into battle or
fighting for our lives from some unseen threat. You're here, alive, Mackie
is safe in Germany, and Linna and Nene are actually on a vacation together.
It's... nice."
Priss caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. "I know just what
you mean." They resumed eating in companionable silence and watched the
local news. The weather was supposed to be clear and cool tonight and Priss
began to plan another little drive, maybe inland this time, through the
mountains.
"-Kutsuu who worked for Genom Corporation as a business consultant was
arrested this afternoon for prostitution. Genom officials refused to comment."
Sylia glanced at Priss in confusion, "Prostitution?"
Priss shrugged. "Don't ask me. Arashi suggested I dump her in Paradise
Loop. I guess somebody made an assumption."
They continued eating in silence until the next report began. "Hawaii has
been struck by a computer virus. Internet service interruptions have sprung
up across all of the islands, disrupting businesses and communications. A
spokesperson for NOL advises extreme caution when connecting to the
Internet at this time. Apparently they have been unable to determine how
the virus is spreading and people are advised to not get online if
possible. Reports are starting to come in that areas in California and
Osaka have also been hit by this virus and it is obviously spreading quickly."
Priss looked at Sylia and shook her head. "You don't think...?"
"No. Of course not. Just because they're in Hawaii doesn't mean that
they're involved."
"No, no it doesn't."
<Taisei? Can you reach them?> Taisei was unable to find the others.= It
could be because of the system failures. They might just be out of range.=
Somehow Sylia doubted it.
<Arashi? Link me into the system.> Priss cursed as she shifted her
position and looked around her in amazement. <Good grief! No wonder Nene's
addicted! It's like computer geek's heaven!>
<Yes, it's beautiful.>
Priss spun around and found Sylia standing behind her. <What are you doing
here?>
Sylia smiled at her in disbelief. <Did you really think that I was going
to let you have all the fun?>
<No, I guess not. So now what?>
<We try to find Linna and Nene.>
<Sylia! Priss! We need help!>
They heard Linna calling them and Priss grinned. <Well, that was easy. How
do we get to them?>
Sylia pointed to a strand running in the direction of Linna's call. <We
fly.> She grabbed the strand and was gone in a blink. <Hey! Wait up!> Priss
gripped the line and found herself hurtling though the system. She howled
wildly as she burst through several stations and on through to the next
area. Something caught her, causing her to lose her hold on the strand and
she fell with a cry.
Sylia helped her to her feet, her smile huge. <Quite a ride, eh?>
Priss scowled as she realized that Sylia was the one who had yanked her to
a halt. <Next time, signal first.> She looked around and immediately saw
Linna trying to fight back several evil-looking forms. She started forward
and then looked back at Sylia. <How do I fight these things?>
Sylia pointed to her cybernetic arm. <That's not good enough for you?>
Priss raised her arm and watched the blade slid out. <I think I can
manage.> She went to join Linna in battle and Sylia conferred briefly with
Taisei. Her mind spun with the new information and shook her head slightly,
<Well that was unpleasant.> An impulse rifle appeared in her hands and
Sylia began to open fire on the viruses, blowing away orbs as they tried to
ensnare Priss and Linna.
The energy blade hissed as it cut through the creatures and Priss
continued to beat them back. She glanced at Linna and had to grin at the
armor she was wearing. <Well, well, the Green Knight. How goes the battle?>
Linna didn't bother to look at her as she wielded her sword with a
stunning accuracy. <The battle sucks! The princess has been captured by the
Black Knight and all hell is breaking loose in the kingdom!>
<The princess-Nene?! What happened?>
Linna snarled at the swarm as she pressed forwards, trying to gain ground.
<That God Damn Tsumari severed her mind from her body and kidnapped her! We
have to get her back!>
Priss started to reply when she saw a ball of blue energy hurtling towards
her. She threw herself out of the way and it sailed over her head. Priss
sat up and stared in the direction the blast had come from.
<What the hell was that?>
A familiar face popped up from the other side of the horde and Priss
blinked in shock. Kuraki waved cheerfully. <Sorry! That one got away from
me!> She winked at Priss and turned as Sabishii joined her. They were
fighting side by side and Priss felt an instant of displacement as she
watched them. Sylia touched her arm, reminding her that they still had a
battle to fight and Priss stood up. <This is getting more complicated by
the second.>
Sylia shrugged and casually shot a stray sphere that was reaching out for
Priss. <I think I spoke too soon about the peaceful lunch we were having.>
<No shit.> Priss scanned the battlefield and realized that they were not
making any progress. <There's too many of them. We need something bigger
Sylia, something to stop these things in their tracks.>
<I know, but I'm not sure what that would be.>
Sabishii was guarded. <I think we need to have a little conference.>
They agreed and began to work their way closer to each other until they
were all together. Kuraki blew away another pair of the viruses and
frowned. <Going to be difficult to talk and fight at the same time. Maybe
we should pull out until we devise a plan?>
<No! We can't leave Nene!> Linna glared at them and moved to attack again.
Priss stepped forward and grabbed her arm. <Linna! I know what you're
feeling, but we aren't getting anywhere like this! We need to calm down and
think. Brute force isn't going to work.>
Linna knew she was right, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.
<All right.>
Sabishii stared at Priss in surprise and then turned to Sylia. <Since when
did we... 'she' become an advocate for clear thinking?>
<Since I took a little trip into hell. You should try it sometime it
broadens the mind.> The sarcasm in Priss' voice was thick, but Sabishii let
it pass. Priss had a good reason to be angry with her right now and that
was something that Sabishii understood fully. She just hoped that Priss
didn't take it upon herself to tell Kuraki what had been done to Sylia.
That would not be pretty.
They rode the uninfected strands away from the group of spreading viruses
and stopped at a station nearby. The cube of light seemed comforting in the
darkness of the system and they immediately felt better.
Sylia wondered why Taisei hadn't suggested something. <Any ideas, Taisei?>
=We're working on it now, Sylia. We're almost finished.=
Sylia looked at the others in question, but they had no idea what Taisei
was talking about. <Finished with what?>
=The answer to your problem.=
The final calculations were made and Arashi cackled at the results.= This
is going to blow their minds! =
Taisei was more reserved. =We've come up with an idea that will help
combat the viruses. It may seem a little extreme at first, but we think in
the long run that it will be well worth it.=
Sabishii realized that her and Kuraki's enclaves had also been in on this
little brainstorm and she scowled. <You want to fill us in or are you going
to talk us to death?>
Kiji chuckled evilly. =Why don't we just show you? =
Sylia saw a small speck of light appear in front of her and watched it
grow until it reached the size similar to that of the viruses. However,
this orb was bright yellow and spikes of energy crackled around it. She
glanced at the others and saw similar orbs near each of them, though the
colors were different. <What is this Rihi?>
= A sentient anti viral program, not unlike the one that we used to stop
the boomer virus.=
Linna watched the pale green orb float quietly near her and stepped back.
The orb followed. <Why is it following me?>
= It's part of you... sort of.= Inji didn't sound too sure.
Priss shoved hers to the side and moved to stand in front of Sylia. <All
right Taisei. What's the deal with these things?>
= It was Arashi's idea. We tapped into the instinctual part of each of you
and used it to enhance the programs. I guess you could call them guard dogs.=
Priss was furious. <Like I don't have enough attachments already? What
were you thinking?>
= We were trying to find a way for you to get past the infections and save
Nene.= Seiki spoke quietly, but her frustration with them was obvious.= I
can't keep her alive like this indefinitely. So stop complaining and go get
her! =
<She's right. We need to get moving.> Kuraki waved a hand toward the dark
gold orb beside her. <Come on Spot.> She headed for the nearest strand, the
program bouncing along behind her.
Sabishii hurried after her. <Wait a minute, Kuraki!> But she was gone and
Sabishii followed quickly, calling back, <Don't just stand there! Come on!>
She disappeared and the Priss shook her head. <Idiots. I guess we better
go help.>
They emerged back into the battle and found Sabishii and Kuraki actually
making some progress.
Linna watched her orb hover aimlessly and frowned. <Okay, Inji. How does
this thing work?>
= Easy. Just look at the viruses. Now what do you want to do to the viruses? =
<Um, destroy them?> Instantly the globe hurtled into the fray and Linna
smiled. <So, that's why you tied them to us. They're reading our minds?>
=Yes. You might want to duck.= Linna whirled as a cluster of viruses
swarmed her and she drew her sword. The orb returned immediately and Linna
watched, as it seemed to absorb one of the viruses and then split. A paler
version of the sphere began to attack the next virus as the original orb
absorbed another one. <What's it doing? Reproducing?>
= Limitedly. The copies will erase themselves once they've used up the
energy from the viruses they were made from.=
Sylia smiled in delight as she watched the infection began to shift into
soldiers for their own side.
?????
Nene watched the two creatures clash as she tried to free herself from the
strands binding her. She quickly realized that she was stuck fast and
ordered herself to calm down and think. Okay, I'm cut off from Seiki, Linna
and my body. I can't get free and it looks like Tsumari is losing. I need
to find a way to either get loose or to help Tsumari.
She watched her friend shudder as if in pain and studied the force
attacking him He's like Tsumari, but I can see a link trail for him. He's
still connected somewhere. He must be human. Nene pictured the first line
of a new code in her mind and bit her lip to stifle a gasp, as it appeared
in the air in front of her. Of course. The mind's perception. She began to
add to the program, keeping one eye on the battling entities. Almost. Just
a few more lines. Nene finished the code and watched in delight as the
lines of characters shifted into a solid program. She targeted the dark
presence and the delete command rocketed across the system, slamming into
his back.
Tsumari watched his enemy howl in pain as the program tried to erase him
and moved quickly to free Nene. **You must leave here now. It is too
dangerous for you to remain. **
** But what about you? **
** I must finish this battle once and for all. Goodbye, Nene. ** He pushed
her towards an opening in the darkened web and Nene heard him cry out as
the other one attacked him.
Nene whirled around, a long spear appearing in her hands. She threw the
lance over Tsumari's head and saw it sink into his attacker. He fell back
as the program tried to delete him and that was when the others arrived.
Linna saw Nene hurl the spear and had to smile at her ferocious
expression. She caught her up in a fierce hug. <Thank God! Are you all right?>
Nene blinked at her in surprise and laughed. <Of course. Linna, we have to
help Tsumari.> She turned to the fight that was still raging.
Kuraki watched the figures and glanced at Nene. <Which one is Tsumari?>
Nene pointed to the lighter shadow and looked at Kuraki. <The other one
took me as bait to tra-Sylia? What happened to you?> She saw the original
Sylia and shook her head. <What's going on?>
Sabishii waved her questions aside. <Not now, Nene! Right now, we need to
kill that thing.> Her guard dog surged forward and attacked only to be
knocked aside.
The dark being quickly realized that he was out numbered and began to draw
back. Tsumari followed, but he was unable to stop the creature from
slipping through the web and disappearing.
Nene moved to Tsumari's side. **Are you alright?**
**I am unharmed. I was unable to defeat Sangai.**
**Sangai? You know who he is?**
**I know only the name he gave the first time we encountered each other.**
Tsumari turned to the others curiously. **There are more of your kind?**
Nene laughed softly. **You have no idea. These are my friends. You've met
Linna and that's Priss and Sylia.** She looked at Sabishii and Kuraki
questioningly.
Sabishii sighed. **While I think that it's a really bad idea to give this
guy our names Nene, I guess it's too late now. I'm Sabishii and this is
Kuraki. Now I have a question; What the hell was that?**
Tsumari seemed to shift and Sabishii realized that it was a shrug. ** I do
not know. He is not like you, but neither is he like me. I have never seen
his kind before. **
Sylia and Kuraki spoke at the same time. **Do you know what you are?**
They looked at each other, startled.
Tsumari was vague and seemed unwillingly to answer them. He turned to
Nene. **You must go now, before he returns.**
**But what about you? He's trying to kill you!**
**I have had much practice in avoiding him. I will be fine. Goodbye,
Nene.** With a low bow to them all, he slipped into the data stream and
disappeared.
Linna touched Nene's arm. <We need to get you back, Nene. Seiki's the only
thing keeping you alive.>
Nene nodded and glanced at the clones. She spoke quietly to Linna. <I
think we better get back to
Japan as soon as possible, Linna.>
Kuraki saw Sylia studying her. <Well. Here we are.>
Sylia's eyebrow rose slightly. <Yes. Here we are.> She wanted to ask if
she was all right, if she had any questions or needed any help, but
something made her hesitate. Kuraki's voice filled her mind and Sylia knew
that the others could not hear as they began to work their way back through
the system to where Nene had been taken. <I feel like there's something I
should say to you, but I'm not sure what.>
Sylia grimaced as they sped along the link. <How about, 'Why did you clone
Priss and start all this trouble?>
Kuraki laughed. <That's a good one. Why did you?>
<Your mind is an exact copy of mine from two months before Priss was
killed. Or I guess I should say kidnapped. You didn't go through what
happened after she died.>
<I guess I always thought that I would be able to deal with any of the
team dying.>
Sylia's laughter was harsh. <Don't kid yourself. Priss is not just a
member of the team and you know it. She gave us back our future. Because of
her we know that there will be life after Genom when before that was the
only goal.>
Kuraki knew she was right. <I was surprised though. I didn't expect Priss,
I mean Sabishii, to do something so against what she believes in.> They
watched as the others each gripped strands and whipped out of sight.
Something in their faces must have told Sabishii and Priss that they needed
to talk because they went ahead.
Sylia faced her double and shook her head slowly. <There's nothing like
losing someone to make you realize how much you need them. I understand
what Sabishii did, even if she did do it in the most traumatic way she could.>
<What do you mean?>
Sylia realized that Sabishii hadn't told her. <Hmm. A moral dilemma. Priss
hates liars, yet she's obviously lied to you. Should I or shouldn't I?>
Kuraki tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest. <Spit it out,
Stingray. You made up your mind to tell me before you opened your mouth.>
The grim smile that played around Sylia's mouth told Kuraki that she had
guessed correctly. She proceeded to tell her clone exactly what Sabishii
had said and done to her, then topped it off by telling her how Priss had
reacted when she found out. Kuraki had paled through the first part and was
frowning in concern at the end of the second. <She...I had no idea.>
<Neither did I. We both have tigers by the tails and I'm damned if I know
what to do about it.>
Kuraki stepped closer to a strand. <I think that we'd both better get a
really good grip and hang on for dear life.> She grabbed the strand and
vanished.
Sylia started to follow, but looked back at the turbulent system one last
time. What else is lurking out here?
?????
Nene stared at the strange silhouette and glanced nervously at Linna.
<That looks like...me.> The residual energy pattern was suspended, kept
open by Seiki and should allow Nene to rejoin with her body. Linna heard
Seiki's impatient commands and nodded. <Okay. Nene, Seiki says that you
just have to step into the pattern and she'll be able to yank you back.>
She gripped her lover's shoulders and kissed her. <I'll be there when you
get back.>
Nene nodded and waved goodbye to the others. She stepped into her shadow
and gasped as Seiki reconnected her to the body waiting in the real world.
She opened her eyes and found herself lying face down on the bed, Linna's
hands still on her shoulders.
Linna scowled at Sabishii and Kuraki a moment and then her expression
eased. <Thank you for helping us.> She smiled at Sylia and Priss and winked
out of sight.
Sylia nodded at Kuraki and they both disappeared. Sabishii turned to
Priss. <Guess I'll see you around.>
Priss shrugged. <I guess. Can I offer you some advice?>
<Go for it.>
<Don't trust her too far. In her own way, she's more of a loose cannon
that both of us combined.> Priss unlinked from the system and immediately
groaned. Her muscles were screaming in protest of the long period of
stillness and Priss looked down at her plate in surprise. The remains of
her sandwich were rock-hard and she glanced at the wall clock in surprise.
"Damn! I can't believe we were in there for that long."
Sylia appeared in the kitchen doorway. "I know. It's dangerously easy to
lose track of time in there. I started a hot bath. I think we both could
use a soak."
Priss nodded and stood up cautiously. She raised her arms over her head
and stretched out carefully, feeling her muscles loosen slightly. She
lowered her arms and smiled lazily at Sylia. "That was the strangest battle
we've ever fought."
Sylia had to agree. "I'm worried about this Sangai being. And it makes me
wonder what else might be hiding within the network."
Priss shrugged and reached out to take Sylia's hand. "Well I guess it'll
give us something to do after Genom falls." She grimaced and corrected
herself. "I mean after you take Genom over."
Sylia sighed and shook her head. "I can't exactly design hardsuits for
virtual reality Priss. We're at great risk there."
There was a strange glint in Priss' eyes as she pulled Sylia into her
arms. "Sounds like fun."
Sylia met her fierce gaze calmly. "It's a death trap."
Priss stepped back and headed for the bathroom. "I don't know, Sylia. I
like the possibilities. I see what drew Linna in now, that's for sure." She
stripped off her clothes and sank into the tub with a groan of pleasure.
Sylia watched her carefully.
"Hmm. But it doesn't make it any less dangerous."
Priss motioned Sylia to join her and sighed as she watched her undress.
"It's not the first time that we've been in danger Sylia and it certainly
won't be the last."
Sylia climbed into the tub and Priss immediately drew her back into her
arms. "I suppose that the others will be returning soon."
Priss nibbled the underside of her jaw. "What makes you say that?" She sat
back and moved Sylia over her so that she was straddling her thigh. Sylia
inhaled sharply at the warm pressure against her and Priss laughed.
"They're worried about what's been happening here while they were away."
"Yeah, but they wouldn't cut short their vacation."
Sylia began to move against her. "Want to bet?"
?????
Quincy watched the doctors moving around Kutsuu, his expression
unreadable. When he had been informed of Kutsuu's arrest he had been sure
that it was a mistake made by the brain dead incompetents of the police
force, but after she was bailed out and brought to him, Quincy was forced
to admit that there was definitely something wrong. He shoved the image of
Kutsuu draping herself over his desk in invitation out of his mind and
focused on the head of his medical division. "Well?"
Dr. Bonshu shrugged with a casualness he didn't feel. "She's been
brainwashed, but I can't tell how. There is no traces of any drugs or
physical trauma of any kind, but there are large gaps in her memory. She
has no recollection of the work she was doing for Genom or of anything
connected to that work."
"The Knight Sabers are responsible for this. It's no coincidence that
Priss Asagiri is suddenly alive and well while Kutsuu can no longer tell us
how that happened. They were covering their tracks." He frowned slightly
and spoke to the woman standing behind him. "I don't like this, Madigan.
They have to
know that this only points in their direction."
Madigan tossed her hair back over her shoulder and raised a brow. "Aye,
tis a little too obvious, isn't it? Makes one wonder if we're only seeing
what they want us to see."
Quincy didn't answer, but his features seemed to harden even more. "Go
over everything we have on Stingray and Asagiri. Then go deeper. Make sure
we haven't missed anything."
Madigan nodded slightly and left. Quincy turned to the waiting physician.
"Doctor. How quickly could you program Kutsuu for a specific task?"
The doctor didn't bother to hide his distaste for his work. "It would
depend on how involved a task it is."
Quincy's smile was almost imperceptible. "Oh it's rather involved, but at
the same time, utterly simple."
?????
Sylia heard the shrill beeping and bolted upright. Priss stirred next to
her, but Sylia ignored her as she got up and pulled her robe on. Priss
rubbed her eyes and sat up. "What's wrong?"
Sylia shook her head. "Nothing I hope. Stay here. I'll explain after I
take this call." She left the bedroom and Priss, who was gritting her
teeth. <Damn it! There she goes again! Hasn't she learned anything?>
Taisei spoke quietly. =Sylia asked me to fill you in while she talks to
her contact. There is an employee at Genom that is very high up and very
loyal... to Sylia. =
<A spy? Sylia has a spy in Genom?> Priss laughed harshly. <What am I
saying? Of course she does! Okay, Taisei. What's going on?>
=Apparently, Quincy has found out about what Arashi and I did to Kutsuu
and is on the warpath. He's also not buying your remarkable return. He's
digging into your and Sylia's data and she's worried. =
Priss climbed out of bed and scrounged around in the clothes she had
removed last night until she found her t-shirt. She tugged it on as she
slipped into the living room, the faded material striking the tops of her
thighs and Sylia smiled a little when she saw what Priss was wearing.
Priss stayed out of video range and went into the kitchen to start the
coffee. Whether the news was good or bad, they probably weren't going back
to sleep. The clock on the kitchen wall read 5:30 as the coffee finished
and Priss rolled her eyes. "Why can't these things happen at a decent hour?"
Sylia stepped into the kitchen in time to hear her exasperated comment and
chuckled. "It's a little hard to schedule emergencies, Priss."
Priss handed her a cup and jerked her head slightly towards the living
room. "Are we having an emergency?"
Sylia sat down at the table and sipped her coffee before answering. "I'm
not sure. Genom has taken possession of Kutsuu. As long as her memory was
blanked then we should be fine there."
The implied question was clear and Arashi was quick to reassure her. =We
wiped her mind, Sylia. There's nothing left that could lead them back here. =
Taisei was just as sure, but felt compelled to add, =Perhaps you shouldn't
have tinkered with her personality, Arashi. =
Both Priss and Sylia were alarmed. Priss was almost afraid to ask. "What
did you do?"
Arashi grumbled a little and then explained what she had done. Priss
stared at Sylia, who returned her look calmly. "Don't look at me, Priss.
She's your collective, based on your personality."
Priss rubbed her face wearily. "I'm not going to think about that right now."
They made breakfast and listened to the news again, making Priss realize
that they were actually beginning to develop a routine of sorts. The virus
that had swept through the system had disappeared as mysteriously as it had
come, causing a flurry of debate about whether or not it had actually been
a virus at all. Police were still looking for any information in the murder
of a local AD police officer that had been found in his home last night,
shot in the back of the head. There had been no signs of forced entry and
as yet no motive for the killing. The weather was warming up and they were
predicting another hot summer on the way.
Priss groaned at that and refilled her drink glass in response. "God I
hope they're wrong this time."
The front doorbell rang and Priss glanced at Sylia who merely smiled
innocently. Priss opened the door a moment later to find Nene and Linna.
"Damn. I hate it when she's right." She rolled her eyes and motioned them
inside. "You could have finished your vacation, guys."
Nene shook her head. "I don't think so. We're a little too curious. How on
earth did Sylia manage to get herself cloned?"
Sylia answered her as she entered the living room. "I wasn't given a
choice." She filled them in on what had happened, leaving out the more
personal details. "It seems that the old saying is true, what goes around
comes around."
Linna was slouched comfortably in her chair, trying not to fall asleep.
They had come directly from the airport and the flight was catching up with
her. "What happens now? Are Nene and I in danger from Genom?"
Priss shook her head. "You're not on Genom's current hit list. We are."
Sylia looked at them thoughtfully for a few minutes and then smiled slightly.
Linna recognized that look and was suddenly very alert. She straightened
and stared at Sylia suspiciously. "What? You've got that gleam in your eyes
again. What are you planning?"
Priss laughed quietly. "I think Sylia plans on starting a war."
"No. They started it when they took you. I'm just going to finish it."
Nene's sound of surprise was drowned out by Linna's abrupt, "War? With
Genom? What have we been doing for the last five years?"
Sylia was grim. "That was boot camp. Now comes the real battle."
**Shimai**
Chaos reigns within.
Reflect, repent, and reboot.
Order shall return.
Visit My Hompage at:
http://www.freespeech.org/shehulk