Part Seven of the Aveh-Nisan Chapter of Rebuilding
Within Without
Written by Yen (April 2000)
Warmth surrounded him, cradling him with a silent lullaby. Movement. Something lifted from his chest. Cold replaced warm. He opened his eyes to stare into crimson orbs.
"... My lady..." The title left his lips without conscious thought. The red eyes seemed to blink as if surprised. Delighted laughter was music to his ears as its maker rose and left him. Seth knew that he would always think of his master by that name.
He rose, sitting up, his eyes following her every movement. She walked towards the only window in his dimly lighted room. Her shadowed profile raised its arms and stretched. Curves and arcs that he had only recently touched. She turned to him. In the darkness, he couldn't see her lips move, but he heard clearly her words.
"It's time, Seth."
He nodded simply, understanding the unspoken command behind the innocent words. "Yes, my lady," he said obediently.
Somewhere, Samuel White stared up at the starlit moonless sky. It begins... will it end...?
Nortune, Kislev
Residential District
He blinked and rubbed at his eyes. In front of him, the bellows of the smithy waited, fiery hot and ready for forging. By his side, odd pieces of metal waited for his tongs and the hammer. Daran was a blacksmith. One of several thousand in the city of Nortune. Two things distinguished him from his colleagues. One, he was a mutant, belonging to the hardly have-not minority living in Kislev. Two, he is the best in his craft. None in the city could match his skill with hammer and forge. Gear components requiring metalcraft and forging left his smithy constantly. One of his most prestigious clients was Jugend. His rivals complained of the unfair advantage he possessed, his extra pair of arms and hands.
Daran shook his head, trying to clear the irritating sound from his head. It was high-pitched and seemingly constant. It was like a whistle.
"Dar?" The soft voice of his lover made him whirl. Tisa almost dropped the tray with his supper, so surprised she was by his sudden action.
Concerned, she placed aside the tray and walked towards him. He shrank away from her.
Hurt made her pause. Her dark eyes looked at him uncertainly before determination lifted her head stubbornly. It had taken her long to earn his trust and his love. She refused to be angered and be driven away by him, whatever have have not issue he was presently using as a wedge in their relationship. She will not let him drive them apart.
"Dar-"
"Stay away, Tisa!"
Her lips tightened, and Daran wished desperately she would listen this time. Something, something awful was happening to him.
She shook her head. "No, I will not," she said softly. He could see the sparkle of wet tears on long curled eyelashes. His chest tightened. She doesn't understand. She thinks I am trying to drive her away again. "... Tisa-" Her eyes met his, but he could no longer speak. The demanding whistle blotted out everything. The sight of her lovely face. Her voice calling his name. For a moment, he felt her in his arms before that too was taken away.
Run, Tisa!
...
"She cannot hear you, Daran."
Hopeless rage drained away unwillingly willingly. He had no choice, it mattered little how he felt.
He heard Seth's mental sigh. "I leave you alone, and you let one of them into your heart. You make things more difficult for yourself."
I couldn't help it, Master Seth. Programming and Seth's overpowering mental presence mercifully muted his pain.
"It is time now, Daran. Forget about her."
Yes. This was his purpose. He forgot about Tisa.
Nisan
Artisans' Dormitory
One more stroke...
Aelia laughed as she placed aside her brush and palette. She looked at her work, pleased and satisfied with it.
Just in time...
Seth's call touched her mind, and she happily invited him inside.
Seth!
She could feel his discomfort. "Aelia," he returned her greeting much more subdued then hers was. How she love to hear him say her name... She wished she was back at the citadel.
Is it time now?! She couldn't wait until all was done so that she could be with her beloved Seth again.
"... Yes, it is."
Look! Take a look at what I drew for you!
It was a painting of Seth standing before a backdrop of a full moon. It had taken her long but she was finally able to draw her first impression of him. The moment she fell in love with him. She hoped he liked it.
An unfamiliar and feminine voice answered, "It is a good likeness of him."
... Who are you? Before the other could answer, she screamed with sudden realization, You are with Seth!
Someone gave her the mental equivalent of a hard shake. "That is our master, Aelia." Seth sounded embarrassed, and Aelia wanted to cry for causing trouble for him.
Someone laughed. "I didn't know someone had prior claim on you, Seth."
"... Aelia is my student." His next words warmed Aelia. "She is my responsibility."
Sensei! She didn't care they were not alone. She flung herself at him. She could sense his startlement as he received her. Their essences wrapped and mingled with each other. "Aelia!" She didn't even feel the usual remorse when he was upset with her. He gently and firmly pushed her back. He's such a gentleman.
"You would make an excellent diplomat, Seth." Aelia targeted negative vibes at the speaker. She hated her!
Bledavik, Aveh
Main Gate
Nathan shook himself. Sand scattered and fell from his dirty cloak. He glanced in the direction of the Yddrasil IV. The huge fortress was in stationary keeping a few miles from the city. Yet, even with the distance, it dominated the dark horizon.
He grinned. He could barely wait to take command of it.
"Nathan." And his master calls.
Master Seth. He addressed him not respectfully but insultingly. The title should have been his.
"It is time, Nathan."
He rolled his eyes skyward. I don't need you tell me that. Were it not that slight difference in mental skill, he would be the one calling the shots instead.
"Remember, only the true ones."
What's the difference? A mutant is a mutant by any other name. Seth irritated Nathan. He even changed his name, as if their name was no longer worthy.
"The false ones are weak. Control only the true ones."
Whatever...
"Perhaps you mind the greater challenge?"
Shut up! How dare he?! I'll take care of Bledavik. I suggest you babysit Daran or that nitwit Aelia! Anger flashed at himself. He had to learn to control his temper. It was his greatest weakness, and Seth knew how to take advantage of it.
He cut off the mental link. I'll show you, Seth. You'll regret upstaging me.
The Citadel
"Your students are very interesting, Seth."
He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. Nathan's sudden termination of their link was analogous to having a door slammed right in his face.
"You are not worried about Nathan?"
He looked at her. "He is my best student," he informed honestly. "Though we see things differently, our goals are the same. He will do his task."
"What of Daran?" Red eyes looked back at him consideringly. "You expend a great amount of energy controlling him."
The muscles of his shoulders tightened. He couldn't deny that. He should have known that Daran would be turned. His heart was the gentlest. "We need him, but if worse come to worse, I will dispose of him and take care of Nortune."
She walked towards him and stopped in front of him. She raised her hand, and finger nails traced the line of his jaw. Her mouth brushed against his and murmured, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Unable to help himself, he lowered his head and kissed her. When his heart began to pound unsteadily as she returned his kiss, he knew with certainty that he had fallen. Just as Daran had fell, learning to love a have girl. Just as Aelia was at wit's end for love of him. Just as Nathan had lost to pride and hate. It mattered not he was only a tool.
He knew she knew he knew he was only a pawn on her chessboard. He felt her smile against his mouth. It made the game all the more delightful.
Sigurd slammed the screen down and flung it aside. Wires ripped and electricity screamed as the unit was torn out of its housing.
"Sig!"
He stood up unsteadily and slammed his fist against the table.
"Sigurd, what's the matter?!"
It was too much. He felt hands hold and comfort him. Finally, he was able to look up and meet his friends' concerned and worried faces. "... It's not over," he whispered.
"Sig?" He glanced at Bart. There was wary in his brother's eye and a dawning horror. He looked away. "Mutants are enmassing around the city." His eye closed wearily. "They have been hiding all along underneath the sands."
Multiple computer screens around the table began flashing red and beeping insistently.
Billy stared with disbelief at Kahr's image.
"What do you mean there are uprisings in Nortune?!"
Kahr's eyes flashed. He disliked having to repeat himself.
"There are riots in the city. They are composed of mutant citizens."
Billy leaned back against his seat. On both his sides, Jessiah and Primera waited. He felt her sister squeezed his hand comfortingly. This cannot be happening.
Kahr suddenly frowned and glanced away, looking at something off screen. He looked back at Billy with the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes. "Sir, Master Rico is on the bridge and is ordering the ship off and back to Nortune."
All three Blacks started as his next words. "He says all who are not going better get off in the next five minutes."
Bart shielded his face as the Yddrasil IV lifted off. The force of its huge engines firing was so great that it blew him off his feet and deposited him and his friends several meters away.
Grumbling, he pushed himself off the sand and looked around. Luckily for the impatient Rico, sand didn't make the landing down too hard. He spotted Margie and ran towards her.
...
"Are you all right?" She shook her head before looking up at him and taking his extended hand. "I'm fine." Barely had her hand touched his when he pulled her up suddenly and into his arms. Her eyes were an alarmed blue as he hugged her protectively.
"Margie..." He squeezed his eye shut. There was nothing more he could say. Emotion made his chest tight and breathing hard. I'm afraid... I almost lost you so many times. Not again.
"I love you, Bart." His eye flicked open, and he stared down at her. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she blinked them away. She smiled tremulously at him. "I... I always wanted to say that to you."
Margie... Of course. Sometimes, he could be such an idiot. He never told her he loved her. A finger barred his lips before he could tell her. She kissed him. "Tell me later when I have the leisure to hit you on the head for taking so long."
Before he could reply, Fei shouted, "Hey, Bart! Now is not the right place and time for that!"
He will clobber Fei later. Bart nodded at Margie, and she smiled and lowered her hand. Around them, a faint shimmering could be seen. It was the shield barrier. At its borders, the mutant army awaited.
"Fei, are you sure you will not take more troops with you?"
He shook his head at Sigurd's umpteenth question. "Bledavik needs the soldiers more then Nisan does."
The older man was stubborn. "Nisan has more have-nots then haves, and they are within the city itself. Bledavik has not yet been infiltrated."
Fei's eyes flickered close for a moment before he glanced aside to where workers were making sure that his Xenogears was fastened securely to a cargo cart. On both ends of it, shuttles were filled to capacity with troops and armaments from Bledavik. As he watched, another shuttle train left the station for Nortune.
"Instead of sending more troops to Nisan, I suggest you use them to reinforce Bledavik's defenses."
Sigurd was becoming more angry then exasperated with him. "Damn it Fei! One train escort to Nisan is simply not enough. At least take three convoys with you."
Fei looked back at him, and a chuckle escaped from him. Sigurd was livid. "This is not laughing matter!"
"I know it isn't," he immediately said before Sigurd could explode further. "I know it isn't, Sigurd."
"Then tell me why you are being so stubborn about this. It's not a matter of pride, is it?"
"No, of course not." Fei was affronted. Finally, he gave in. "Sigurd," he began his reasoning, "Bledavik is holding Nisan's injured for us." Dark eyes flashed warningly before the other man could interrupt him. "What people left in Nisan is either friend or foe. There will be no helpless victims in the way. You, on the other hand, have to safeguard a city of innocent invalids."
Sigurd could not argue that observation, but he was not one to surrender easily. "Insurrection rages in Nisan, Fei." His one blue eye narrowed. "There is no place to retreat to in the city. Even the Cathedral and Sanctuary have been taken."
Fei looked away. "I know that, Sigurd. Elly and the others in Nisan are making use of guerilla tactics to defend themselves." His relinquishment in no way meant Sigurd's victory over the matter. His expression was set when he looked back at Sigurd. "Don't you see, it is Bledavik which must be kept safe above all."
"... Why do you say that, Fei?"
"This desert stronghold is our enemy's foremost target, not Nisan or Nortune. It was the first to be attacked. It is our strongest asset. The have-nots are turning and have turned against us. Even old and trusted friends have become traitors. I know this is not of their free will. Whatever is happening to them is planned. They are being controlled."
Realization dawned slowly on Sigurd's tired face, and Fei was glad to see it. He knew that Sigurd had yet to regain strength in all his faculties. These attacks were all part of a well-thought out strategy. Move and countermove. By this time, they would have all been dead were it not for Melchior's timely cure.
Sigurd's jaw hardened. His eye regained its thoughtful light. "Bledavik is their target."
Fei nodded. "Or it is their greatest problem. There are virtually no mutants living in the city to be turned."
"Nisan and Nortune have large populations of mutants. Why didn't they simply attack them first?"
"There was no clear victory or most likely uncertain wins. The armies stationed in both cities composed mostly of haves would make it difficult for any foe even internal forces to take the cities."
"So we were weakened first or the virus may have been accidental outcome though I doubt that," said Sigurd.
"Bledavik was then the easiest target. No shield barrier, and our guard was let down because of the celebration. They expected to take the city as well as prominent hostages, the council members from Nortune. With such important prisoners, the other cities would be hampered severely," said Fei with tired certainty in his voice. He was relieved when Sigurd continued the line of reasoning.
"When they failed, their alternate plan went into effect. They used the visitors from the other cities to spread their virus." Sigurd suddenly stumbled back slightly. His hand reached up to his temple while Fei supported him. He shook away Fei's help and straightened with quiet determination. He whispered harshly, "If they couldn't take us by force, they waited for the virus to kill us all!"
"Sigurd..." Fei paused slightly, gathering his thoughts and his words. He had to make sure that the other understood Bledavik's stand in all of this. "Bledavik holds not only Nisan's refugees but also the people from Lahan. If either Nisan or Nortune or both fell, we will still have Bledavik to retreat to and regroup. You said so yourself, the mutants have not yet infiltrated this city. Bledavik must be safeguarded at all cost. It must not fall."
Sigurd gave a short nod. "Understood, Fei."
Samuel shrugged his hair back. Extending both arms sideways, he lowered his body into a squatting position. The grass in front of him shimmered. Green blades, dark in the twilight, bend at their bases. Edges fused, and a large smooth many-faceted mirror was produced.
He placed his right elbow on his leg, and its hand supported the chin of his head as he lazily watched the mirage of images and events displayed for him by the grass.
Let's see who outmaneuvers who...
Yddrasil IV
Bridge
Damn it all to hell! Rico fought the urge to slam his fist against the control panel. It wouldn't do for him to show his lost of temper in front of his men. By his right hand, the narrowly escaped panel continued to operate, its lights blinking steadily.
Around him, at their respective stations, officers and crew kept their heads down to their panels and concentrated on doing their duties. Nervous tension strained the atmosphere of the room. Only one individual had any sense of calm.
Kahr Ramsus clasped his hands behind his back as he slowly walked the perimeter of the bridge. Once in a while, he would bend slightly and peer at a reading before resuming his pace. Enlisted and officers alike welcomed his watch. They were accustomed to him, being a familiar and constant figure at the Academy.
"What is our ETA, Ramsus?" Rico barely repressed the growl that rose with the question.
"At present speed and course, one hour, thirty-seven minutes, fifteen seconds... mark." Ramsus clear and steady answer calmed Rico slightly. He was grateful that at least there was one among them in control of himself.
The muscles in his jaw tightened. Unconsciously, teeth rubbed against each other. Rico could hear the sound of his molars grinding.
Nortune is my responsibility...
The bridge door swooshed open. He turned in his high captain's chair just as Billy and Jessiah entered. Primera was with them as well. Her father let her down just as Billy approached him. "Rico, how long until we reach Nortune?"
Rico didn't answer. He glanced at Ramsus before he turned away to stare darkly at the main screen.
"One hour, thirty-six minutes, forty-five seconds... mark," Ramsus said monotonously. Rico wished he could copy the former Gebler commander's unconcerned behavior. He was the only one among them who was truly relaxed. In fact, he seemed somewhat eager with the present hostilities in Nortune. His eyes and face gave away little regarding his true emotions. Only Jessiah or Citan or Sigurd seemed able to penetrate the mask that Ramsus wore so proficiently, but with little success. Even the Elements under him were unable to make him act other than his usual cool remote attitude. Poised, confident, withdrawn were the trade signatures of Praetorian Kahr Ramsus. Practically, every Jugend cadet idolized the man.
"You sound like a computer, Kahr," Jessiah commented in his infamous outspoken manner. Small amusement and understanding came to Rico. The Senior Black would embarrass himself to make others laugh and lighten the mood.
One of the cadets chuckled and immediately shushed before Ramsus could locate him. Rico looked at Ramsus, and could see similar insight in cat-like eyes.
"At least I do not sound like an idiot, Jessie."
Primera giggled, and Rico swallowed a stubborn grin at the look on Jessiah's face. Billy had turned away from his father. His face was stuck in unusual contortions as he desperately tried not to laugh aloud.
Jessiah threw his hands up and looked around the bridge. Most of the shoulders present were hunched and trembling. Rico turned away before their eyes could meet. His stomach hurt with the strain of controlling his laughter.
"Aw jeez..." Jessiah muttered, "let it out before you all get cramps or something."
The entire bridge filled with laughter.
Nisan
Fatima Mausoleum
Elly placed her hand on the girl's cheek. Eyelids flickered at her touch, opening to reveal jade eyes. "... Mother Elly?"
She smiled and shushed her. "It's okay. Everything will be all right. Go to sleep." Emerald eyes blinked trustingly and closed. Soon, their owner was sleeping again.
Elly sighed softly and sat back on her legs. She was very glad that plain words from her lips were followed so readily by others. Her eyes reluctantly returned their attention to the bandaged gash on the girl's thigh. The wound was deep, almost to the bone. It had required ten emergency sutures to close and to stop the bleeding. She wished she had healing ether.
"Holy Sophia..." She glanced back to see Sr. Agnes standing behind her. Beyond the skirts of her nun's gown, Elly could see other sisters and still able survivors tending to those injured and wounded. She stood up and turned to Sr. Agnes. "Yes, what is it?"
The mother superior's eyes were troubled. "It won't be long until they realize where we are hiding."
Elly knew that all too well. "It will take them time to get past the sealed entrance." Her words were small comfort to her, but she hoped it would waylay the other woman's worries for a while. "By that time, reinforcements should arrive."
If they had to, they could stay a long time in the family tomb of the Fatimas. Food and supplies had been stored there enough to support a good-sized group for at least a month. During Nisan's rebuilding, they had discovered the mausoleum had survived intact and in good condition though the Cathedral above had been destroyed by Deus. Learning from history, various shelters had been constructed through out the whole of Nisan to serve as protection for the common people. The Mausoleum had been reserved for the ruling class. However, in this crisis, all the other shelters were unsafe due to the lack of sufficient security and defensive measures. The mutants had easily infiltrated all of them save for the Royal Tomb of the Fatimas.
Sr. Agnes' face lit up with a hopeful smile. Her hands clasped together, and she pressed them against her mouth in a kiss as she bowed her head to Elly.
"May the Spirits protect and keep us safe," she whispered.
Elly closed her eyes. Fei, please get here soon.
Shuttle Genada
En Route to Nisan
Fei closed his eyes and leaned tiredly against his seat. In the seat in front of him, Dan looked at him worriedly before peering at the scenery flashing by their window.
The mutely lit desert substrata was not an unfamiliar sight to him though he had only seen it when daylight shone through the sand. He had been present when the rails had been laid and the system constructed just as he tagged along with the engineers and workers when they built the route between Nortune and Nisan.
The desert project had been much more interesting and challenging. While the tracks in the Nortune-Nisan routh had gone in a mostly straight line through the plains and tunnels in mountains and hills between the two cities, the Nisan-Bledavik route had to be constructed under the sand most of the way. The underwater channel tunnel had been an easier feat compared to the under the desert railway system.
Feeling a bit sore in his backside, Dan stood up and stretched before deciding to head out to the conductor's room. Shuttles and trains intrigued him, and despite the crisis befalling their civilization at this very moment, the boy in him hoped that Engineer Kel would let him drive the Genada.
Bledavik, Aveh
War Room
"They are not attacking, Sir."
Bart frowned. "Are you certain. Lieutenant?"
"Yes, I am, Sir. They are just gathering in ranks by the borders. Most of them are concentrated east of the city."
A frontal attack... "Have you checked the west area?"
"No mutants there. We have even sent out sand probes. If there are mutants there, they are dead and buried."
So... they will not use the same tactic twice. Figures… they know we're not going to fall for the same trick twice. "Very well, Lieutenant, thank you for your report, and tell your men to stand by."
"Yes, Sir!"
...
Bart's face was serious, but Margie worried at the hint of uncertainty in his eyes as he turned back towards them. The huge doors of the War Room rumbled softly as they were opened to let Lieutenant Simms out. As it rumbled shut, Sigurd said, "Obviously, they are either waiting for us to make the first move or waiting for something else."
Citan nodded. "I suggest you double the guards at the shield generator." No one noticed the slight momentary smile on the face of his wife, who was standing beside him. "The barrier is our greatest defense, and little doubt their first target," he continued.
Bart asked, "You suspect sabotage?"
"I would not overlook that possibility," answered Citan.
Sigurd shook his head and pressed a button on the panel in front of him. The conference table suddenly glowed, its white ivory top turned black as a world map appeared covering most of the surface. On the Ignas continent, three points glowed bright red. Nortune, farthest north, Nisan, to the west, and southmost, Bledavik. Green dots suddenly appeared and moved across the map. "I do not like the way our forces are so spread out."
Sigurd pointed at the green dot nearest to Bledavik. "Fei and his Xenogears should be arriving in Nisan within the hour." Another dot slightly farther away. "Rico and Billy are almost at Nortune. Jessiah and Kahr are with them."
Citan indicated Nisan. "Elly is here."
Something occurred to Margie. "Where are Maria and Em?"
Yui answered her question. "Grandfather and the others recruited them for another mission."
Citan glanced at his wife with a puzzled look. "... What are those three up to?"
Yui shook her head. "He wouldn't tell me, but he promised they would be able to help."
Both Bart and Sigurd looked irritated. "This is no time to be secretive," the older Fatima said. "Sig's right," agreed Bart, "We need to know everything that is going on."
Yui calmly answered them, "I do not know what they are up to. They left Bledavik about half an hour ago. I almost didn't know about it if grandfather hadn't said good bye to me."
Sigurd was insistent. "They should have told us before leaving so suddenly."
Citan raised his hands peaceably. "It is no use arguing about it now. We will have to trust to their judgments."
Margie moved closer to Sigurd when he slumped suddenly. He smiled reassuringly when she tried to help him up. "I'm okay, Margie," he whispered softly. She whispered back, "Don't drive yourself so hard, Sigurd."
His eyes rolled up slightly in wry familiar amusement. "I know. I know."
"You okay, Sig?" By Sigurd's other side, Bart's face mirrored Margie's concern.
"I'm fine. I'm fine." Sigurd laughed softly and straightened. "Nothing like two youngsters to make you feel every one of your years."
"Hey!" Bart exclaimed.
Margie poked Sigurd's shoulder. "You are not that much older than us," she stated.
Sigurd winced. "It was just a rhetorical statement."
Citan smiled as he watched Bart and Margie herd Sigurd towards the door.
"This is not the time for me to take a nap!" Complained Sigurd.
"This may be the only time," Margie answered him.
Bart added, "It's quiet right now. They're not doing anything, and neither are we."
Two Fatimas versus one. Throwing up his hands, Sigurd admitted defeat and gave them no further resistance.
"The way they act, it's as if everything was all right," commented Yui wryly.
He said, "It is the calm before the storm."
She shook her head slightly. "... From my experience, people usually panic in situations such as these."
He chuckled softly. "You do not seem too worried, my wife."
She glanced at him with startled eyes. Her lips parted as if to say something only no words came. "... I think I see your point, Hyuga," she finally said. She relaxed and returned his smile. "We are ready for them."
Citan nodded. He reached out and took her hand in his. "It is this delay of battle which is nerve wracking."
Her fingers trembled as she squeezed his hand. "Be careful."
His dark eyes met hers intently. "I will, Yui, but I want you to stay here."
"... How did you know?"
"I may not be able to read minds, Yui, but I do know you have ordered Heimdal out of storage."
"I can pilot a gear, Hyuga."
"It has been years, Yui."
"I still have the know how."
Citan sighed. Yui can be so stubborn at times. "Heimdal is not easy to-"
"You cannot stop me."
"... I will make a wager with you, my stubborn wife."
"Yes, darling?" Citan fought to keep his expression serious.
"I will withdraw my objections if you are able to walk Heimdal from stationpoint to hanger doors and back without one single mishap."
"... Do you really think I have forgotten how to operate a gear?"
Heimdal is not an ordinary gear. "Do we have an agreement, Yui?"
"Certainly, Hyuga."
Citan smiled.
To be continued...
Author's note: *sigh* Lots of fighting scenes coming in the next part. Practically no humor. It's akin to the battle scenes in the main Rebuilding part.
Yen