Gemini

 

Prefix

 

 

 

From the author: This is my first major novel and it will probably be one of my longest, but I would have to say this is probably one of my better works. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did creating this fascinating story.

 

 

 

Prologue

 

 

 

The First War

 

 

 

The year was 2074, and the Human race had conquered all feats on earth and had started on the epic journey into space. With advancements such as the Orbital Elevator, supplies and people were going into the vastness of space to colonize, to work, and to make new lives in this now tamable frontier. And though the technologies were still in their infancy, the possibilities were quickly being discovered and put into use.

Then they came, a race more advanced than the Humans, they came with one purpose in mind. Only known as the Sol, this race only knew how to conquer. But the Humans stood up in arms against this foe, against insurmountable odds. The war lasted but a few weeks… and the human race lived on.

 

 

 

The Second War

 

 

 

In the wake of the Sol new technologies were found, on their ships and in their computers, and a new advancement into the future was made. One of which technologies was a device the humans deemed “the Mecha-psy”; a device that aloud a person to operate machinery with but a thought. The military took the mecha-psy, kept it from the public, and began testing its possibilities.

New machines of war were made with abilities surpassing anything anyone ever dreamed of. These machine would come in handy too because the humans weren’t the only one to posses it.

The year was 2107 and again ships from the depths of space arrived, the Sol had returned to finish their task. With more ships they aimed to wipe out the humans without faltering. The shock that the Sol still lived puzzled many, the number that the Sol came in the time before were so many. The Humans’ arrogant ideals had deceived them. But with new found confidence in their acquired technologies they arose again to face this returning menace. The war again lasted only a few weeks with both sides taking heavy losses. The final attack by the Sol was a desperate one, to crash their capitol ship into earth. Panic spread when news of the attack came, but humans, as they were, came up with a plan. The use of this old technology had been band for many years but was now the earth’s last hope – a weapon called the atomic bomb. Several were launched at the plunging ship at intervals and one by one they lit up the sky. When the light faded shooting stars covered the sky and once again the human race lived on.

But the Sol were still a threat, they came twice and will come again. Time was against them, the Human race had to learn about the Sol and learn how to rid them-selves of this looming threat before they were faced with something they couldn’t defeat…

 

 
 

 

First Session

 

 

“Time is the enemy now, there’s obviously more of them, all they need to do is get here.” Dr. Cadwell – 2107

The Fox and the Fish

 

 

 

It was a calm autumn day as the car drove down the road, the young man inside watching the wheat fields go by as he was driven towards his destination. The only noise was the hum of the engine and the hiss of the air conditioner. The waves of the wheat fields flowing in the light breeze outside, rising and falling just like in the ocean numbed the mind of all thought.

His brown hair was being played with by the cars air vent while his green eyes starred off into his past. In his mind he day dreamed of a time when he was a kid playing with his father back in America. His parents were veterans of the Second War and at a young age he was taken from them to be put in a military school. Shortly after that, he was given word that his parents had died.

 

Off in the distance a building could be seen, its glass reflecting light into the young man’s eye awakening him from his dream. The car turned onto another road, one that headed for the building in the distance. The sloped front end of the building cast the mid-days sun right at the car and he squinted to see what was ahead. The driver reached for the visor and pulled off a pair of sunglasses. Finally the car arrived and swung around the roundabout to the front of the building. The man got out and thanked the driver before he went in.

A cool breeze came out as the he entered the building. Inside was a large hallway and in front of him a desk with an attendant standing diligently waiting for arrivals.

“Hello there, checking in?” the attendant asked.

“Yes,” the young man said.

“Your I.D. and relocating papers please,” the attendant said, and the young man handed him the items asked for.

The attendant went to work looking through the papers and looking at the computer that was beside him, then held the I.D. up to the young man and then by the computer screen. Afterwards he reached into the desk and pulled out a pair of keys with a tag on the ring.

“Here you are Kyte,” the attendant said handing back the young man’s I.D. and the pair of keys, “I keep the papers here. I also have a message for you; you are to report to the Head Masters office.”

“Okay,” Kyte said.

“Oh and here’s another thing,” the attendant said handing Kyte a folded paper, “That’s a map of the training facility. It’s a pretty big place. We don’t want you getting lost now.”

Kyte nodded and headed off down the hall. Half way down, the hall had connecting passages to each side. Not knowing exactly which way to go, he unfolded the map and found where he was. Looking over it he saw the facility extended for several miles in each direction, Kyte himself being in the dormitory building on the southern side. On the map the Head Masters office was ahead in the magrail station. He folded up the map and put it in his back pocket, but before he could start walking forwards an air duct vent fell by his feet. Kyte looked up and saw a little girl as she lunged from the air duct and tackled him.

“I got you Steven!” the little girl exclaimed as her long blonde pig tails dangled in his face.

 

“Huh?” moaned the dazed Kyte.

The little girl took a closer look, “Hey, you’re not Steven.”

“Yea, so I notice.” Kyte replied.

“Teehee,” laughed a young woman off to the side, “Abby, are you giving people a hard time again.”

“He was Steven a moment ago!” Abrielle exclaimed and Kyte stood up as the woman pulled Abrielle off of him.

“Now run off,” the woman said, “before I have to tell your parents.”

“You wouldn’t,” Abrielle gasped.

“I would, now run off.” And off Abrielle ran off toward the magrail station. “Sorry about that,” the girl said turning towards Kyte, “She can get a little rowdy at times.”

“No problem,” Kyte replied.

“So, what’s your name?” the girl asked. She saw him look into her eyes and she blushed a little.

“I’m Kyte Strife,” Kyte replied.

She was completely infatuated though and could only stare at him with her mind now wandering wildly. Her hazel eyes lost in thought.

 

“Gosh he’s so handsome,” she thought.

“Not again,” said another voice in her head.

“And he has such nice a nice body,” she continued thinking.

 

“You floozy, get over it,” said the other voice.

“I hope we have the same class together this year.”

“Class! Damn we’re going to be late!” the other voice exclaimed.

And she came out of her dazed, “Oh gosh, I’m going to be late. Nice meeting you,” she said as she ran off towards the magrail station.

“What a weird place,” Kyte thought to himself.

He continued down the hall towards the magrail station and once he entered the station he looked around at the expanse of the place. The station was circular with planters around the side and above there was the seconded level which extended over the planters of the first. In the center was a large column that was surrounded by a planter with a ramp that lead up to it. The map had directed that the office was in the center so Kyte approached the column. On the side of the ramp there was a screen that turned on when he got close.

“Welcome,” the screen said, “Name please.”

“Kyte Strife,” Kyte replied.

“The Head Master will see you now,” the screen said and shut off, then the column opened, revealing an elevator.

Kyte stepped on the elevator and the doors shut. He felt his body get a little lighter as the elevator slowed and the doors opened. Kyte exited the elevator and looked around. The walls arched into the dome ceiling and had large triangular windows encompassing the room. There were several potted plants that were scattered about the room, a couch to the left and a desk straight ahead. The chair behind the desk was turned away but he heard a soft humming coming from its occupant. He stepped closer to the desk.

“Hello Kyte, how are you today?” an older female voice asked, “How was your trip?”

“It was alright,” Kyte replied dully.

“That’s good,” she said spinning around in the chair, then standing up and offered her hand, “I am Head Master Natascha Anselm.”

Kyte reached out and shook her hand.

“Go on, have a seat,” She suggested and Kyte sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

“I know you just got here,” she said pulling out a file, “but you have a training exercise at 13 o’clock. This is your partner, read up and head out to the docks once you’re done.”

Kyte grabbed the file, opened it and started to read.

 

 

 

Name: Kamina, Kanna            Age: 20

GP Rank: 1                             P Rank: 7

 

 

 

This gunner pilot (GP) though seen to be shy and quiet has amazing skills at long range targeting. Though the job as GP is only to fire shots to scatter enemies from long range, this GP is capable of targeting and precisely hitting an enemy target from average firing range with having little time to target. Her Gemini sister Katsumi Kamina, though not with the exact same skill, comes close in this GPs’ abilities.

Suggested partners would include Gs of similar ranking to her GP rank.

Suggested that a special craft be made for this GP to capitalize on her specialized skill for long range gunnery.

Schooling consists of constant grades of excelling in most classes and subjects.

 

 

 

Kyte closed the file. Setting it on the Head Masters desk he started to leave. The Head Master took the file and put it away then looked back at Kyte.

“Good luck to you and Godspeed,” She said as the elevator doors shut.

A plasma screen appeared on her desk after the doors of the elevator was closed, on it a middle aged man was smiling.

“So that was him, eh?” the man said.

“Yes, the number one gunner,” Natascha replied, “He seems depressed though.”

“Oh, he’s’ just got no challenge to conquer,” the man said, “The rank two gunner doesn’t even touch his abilities.”

“Well, he would be untouchable if we still used the mecha-psys,” she said, “No one would be able to get close enough to even bother him.”

“Yes well, that technology was banned ever since the Geminis started appearing, you know that.”

“His abilities exceeds far beyond anything even he knows of,” she replied, “It’s just a shame to see so much ability gone to waste.”

 

 

 

Kyte exited the elevator and took out his map of the facility again. The docks were on the far north side of the facility and he would have to travel through the school house building. Also noted on the map were that magrail lines one and two head from the dormitory to the school house. He looked around at the rail line entrances and saw that the two on the lower level were lines one and two and that there was a train in line two getting ready to leave. So Kyte headed over to line two and stepped onto the train. Shortly after he stepped on an announcement was aired, ‘Now departing for the school house, all aboard’.

“WAIT!” a voice called from the station.

“Now closing the doors, please stand clear,” another announcement said.

Kyte stepped forwards and grabbed onto the closing door and made them reopen.

“Please stand clear of the door. The train is ready to depart,” the automated announcement said as a guy hopped into the car.

“Thanks man, I owe you,” said the young man.

“It’s no problem, you owe me nothing,” Kyte said in a calm, almost monotone voice.

“The names Delven, Delven Landis,” the boy said extending his hand.

“Kyte Strife,” Kyte said shaking Delven's hand.

The train jumped up on the tracks with Kyte almost losing his balance from the jolt. The hum of electricity filled the car as the train started to move.

“So you’re new here huh?” asked Delven.

“Yeah,” Kyte replied regaining his composure.

“Cool, this is my third day,” Delven said, “The place may seem daunting at first but don’t worry, it’s not as big as it looks.”

Kyte nodded in reply.

The world outside sped by as the train picked up a little more speed. Out the right side a very large building could be seen in the far off distance with nothing but green grass stretching all the way to it. Out the left side the other track could be seen, as well as another large building in the far off distance. Both buildings had sloped faces, just like the dormitory building. Kyte looked out the front, looking through the two cars in front and saw another large building coming quickly towards them. Kyte looked back and saw the dormitory far behind in the distance. The car came to a stop and the doors opened.

“School house station,” said an announcement and they stepped off.

“Well I’ll see you later then,” Delven said getting a start down the hall, “and thanks again.”

Kyte nodded and looked around the station real quick. This station was diamond shaped with planters encompassing a fountain in the center. The second level was recessed and the glass ceiling sloped to a point at the top. Then Kyte pulled his map out again to see what train he needed to catch next. The school house was in the center of the facility and the docks were on the far side. The two trains that ran between the school house and the docks were lines three and four. Kyte looked across the station and the train on line three was just pulling in. He folded up the map again and put it away as he leisurely walked across the station to the train. The sound of the fountain filled the station and the smell of the wild flowers filled his nose. The angled glass ceiling reflected sun light in every direction which also glisten though the water the fountain.

Kyte got to the other side of the station and stepped onto the train. He took a seat while he waited for the train to head off. The train jumped up on the tracks and began to move. Kyte looked out the front of the car, in the distance another large building which extended on either side farther than the others. The hum of the electricity began to dull his thoughts as he looked towards his lap, but the train began to slow and Kyte stood up. After the train stopped he stepped off the car and looked around. This station was triangular with a fountain against the far wall. A planter surrounded the fountain and above it on the wall was the Earth Defense Force emblem and the glass ceiling sloped to a point above that. Kyte looked around a little more then noticed a video screen on the front of the planter. Kyte stepped up to it and it turned on.

“Name?” asked the man that appeared on it.

“Kyte Strife,” Kyte replied.

The man paused for a moment before saying, “Kyte, head for dock 5. It’s the first one to your right.”

“Okay,” Kyte said and headed off to his right.

The walkway extended down the length of the building and had a moving sidewalk against the outer wall. Several signs protruded above the few entryways that there were. The first sign said ‘Dock 5’ and so Kyte entered that one. This hallway was very short with only a door on the left with a sign that said ‘Ready Room’ and a double door in front that said ‘Dock 5’. Kyte headed for the ready room. He entered the room and saw a girl half dressed facing away from him. She quickly brought her arms up over her chest at the sound of someone entering and Kyte quickly turned around.

“Sorry about that,” Kyte said blushing a little, “I’ll wait till you’re done,” and left the room.

He was leaning against the wall next to the door when she came out. Kyte looked at her, her dark red hair cut short in the back and angled to a little below shoulder length towards the front and her bangs cut short, and her slender eyes were a stunning blue. Her soft features suggested that she had a strong Asian background

“Thank you,” she said and headed into the dock.

Kyte went into the ready room to change and entered the dock afterwards.

The dock was enclosed from the outside with no visible door for the craft that was in the water to exit. The craft itself was a mid size delta wing fighter design. The Gunners gun batteries were located toward the back end and underneath the cockpit and had eight gun ports, and the Gunner Pilots artillery cannon was underneath the craft, its barrel extending a couple meters ahead of the craft and pivots on a spherical turret design. Its twin engines and gun were modified for water test fights.

 

The girl was at the end of the pier by the cockpit of the craft seemingly waiting for him.

As he came closer to her she looked at him and shyly extended her hand, “I am Kanna Kamina.”

“Kyte Strife,” he replied and shook her hand.

An announcement came over the speakers inside the dock, “10 minutes till the exercise begins, please enter your craft.”

Kyte stepped into the cockpit and sat into his seat which was reclined back and fit snug around his body and preceded to strap himself in. Kanna stepped in right after and laid down on her stomach into the speeder style seat in front of Kyte’s and buckled and tightened the strap that went around her lower back and shoulders. Then the canopy closed shut.

“Ready?” Kyte asked.

She gasped being surprised by his voice and blushing a little replied, “Yes”

“Control, this is G Kyte Strife. GP and G are strapped in and are ready for launch,” Kyte said into his control panel.

“Roger that Strife, we will proceed to launch your craft,” Control said.

The craft jolted a little as it was pushed under the water. The sound of air leaving the ballast tanks filled the cockpit. A digital display appeared on the canopy visualizing the underwater structure of the dock and the open water ahead. The hissing of air stopped and the bang of the ballast tanks shutting echoed in the cockpit.

“We are launching you now,” Control said and there a loud clank as the ship was set free from the rigging.

Kanna piloted the craft under the sea side wall and out to open water. The hum of the monitors for their controls filled their ears and the illuminate glow lit their faces. Kanna smoothly guided the craft through the water to the training location.

 

“The first exercise will be for the GP,” Control said, “Maneuver the craft through the designated check points.”

“Roger that,” Kanna responded.

Check points appeared on the canopy’s digital display and Kanna throttled up to full. The craft hissed through the water at incredible speed. Kanna passed through the first check point and made a hard right for the next. Her ability was exceptional but the check point became closer and closer together and Kanna started to have difficulty keeping up. Finally the check points where virtually touching side by side and the turns became too sharp for Kanna to keep up and missed her first one.

“Good job Kamina,” Control said, “Again the next exercise will be for the GP. Do to your specific abilities the next exercise will be a long range accuracy test.”

Several targets appeared on the digital display.

“Five targets at 15000 meters,” Kanna reported, “Engaging.”

Kanna operated her gunner controls cautiously at first, and then fired the first round. She quickly aimed and fired again and then again. She shot off five rounds. The rounds sped through the water and separated slowly into the enemy targets. Several more targets appeared on the left and Kanna quickly maneuvered the craft accordingly.

“20 targets at 40000 meters,” Kanna reported, “Engaging.”

Her poetic positioning and firing of the crafts cannon was incredibly quick and accurate. She took out six of the targets by the time they responded but Kanna had predicted this and the targets moved into the cannon shots. Nine more were destroyed when her first shot missed. Kanna quickly adjusted though and shot several volleys toward the distant targets. As she expected the first several shots were dodged but the follow up shot that she had made, hidden behind the first ones, lay on the path the targets headed. Four more were hit but the last somehow eluded her shots.

“Target 750 meters and closing,” Kanna reported, “Transferring to piloting and handing target engagement to the G.”

“Roger,” Kyte said.

“Understood,” Command replied.

Kanna throttled up towards the target and put the craft into a barrel roll. Kyte shot one shot that arced in a spiral into the target destroying it. Kanna flew through the scattering debris and  eased the throttle.

“Good,” Command said, “The next exercise is co-op, destroy all the targets.”

Several more targets appeared on the display and Kanna throttled up again.

“15 targets at 15000 meters,” Kanna reported, “Engaging.”

Kanna began firing at a furious rate. Explosions spanned the area in front of them, but three of the target emerged from the destruction.

“Handing target engagement to the G,” Kanna said.

“Roger,” Kyte responded.

Kyte fired several shots and the beams arced into the three targets.

“20 more at 750 meters to the rear,” Kanna reported and put the craft into a hard right.

She maneuvered the craft through the targets volley of fire while Kyte shot off a volley of laser fire himself. The craft sped through the explosions of the target craft and made a hard left to turn around.

“Three targets left,” Kyte reported and fired a couple rounds.

Three explosions lit up the surroundings under the water.

“All enemy targets destroyed,” Kyte reported.

“Negative,” Kanna interrupted.

Kanna noticed an irregularity in the feedback on the digital display off to their side. She maneuvered the craft to the left and carefully aimed the cannon. Letting off a burst of fire that blanketed the area, but return fire destroyed the volley of shots and the target sped at them with tremendous speed. Kanna rolled the craft the left and throttled up to engage the target.

“10000… no, 5000 and closing,” Kanna called out.

Kyte started firing at the target but its maneuverability was incredible. It dodged all of the shots. Kanna began maneuvering the craft to avoid its gun fire. Kyte stopped firing for a moment and studied its movements.

“Strife, way have you stopped firing?” Command asked.

Kyte then shot four shots. The target craft maneuvered around the shots but a fifth shot concealed by the fourth separated into the target craft. An explosion on its side lit up the craft. It was a dark human shaped mecha but the light faded from the canopy display and could be seen no more.

“Target disabled,” Kanna reported.

“Excellent work,” Command replied, “The exercise is finished, please return to dock five.”

“Roger.”

 

The communication link closed and in the command tower, finished watching a video screen of the exercise with a smile of wonder, a teacher of the facility leaned back in his chair. The screen changed to the Headmaster who had a worried look on her face. The teacher looked at the screen and noticed it had changed.

“That was marvelous,” he said, “that was the best unit we’ve made yet, taken from designs of the Sol’s best crafts, and he downed it like it was nothing.”

“Do you think he saw it?” Natascha asked.

“Does it matter that much?” the man replied.

“Dr. Cadwell that craft is not to exist. It uses banned technology and is designed after a Sol craft, if anyone found out…

“Head Master Natascha,” the doctor interrupted, “his in-depth file suggests that that he won’t tell anyone, though he may confront us about it.”

“Yes, yes of course. That craft is our only hope for the upcoming war. The removal of the mecha-psys was a gamble of a move.”

“So is this craft,” Dr. Cadwell replied, “We all take risks to try to make things right. Let’s just hope that the risk that the world leaders took to quench the Gemini population from the removal of the mecha-psys wasn’t the wrong one.”

 

 

 

The craft dock and the cockpit opened and the two pilots began to unbuckle themselves. Kanna got out first with Kyte following just behind, but Kyte’s head was clouded in wonder of what that mecha was and his foot caught the edge of the craft. He let out a gasp as he lost his balance and began to fall. Kanna leaped out to catch him but lost her balance as well. With a thud they hit the floor, Kyte’s body landing on top of hers. Kyte groaned and propped himself up and looked down to see Kanna underneath him. Kanna opened her eyes to see Kyte on top of her and her eyes widened.

“Get off you louse!” she yelled and sapped him in the face.

Kyte quickly stood to let Kanna get up and said, “Thanks for catching me but I could have done without the name calling.”

“Catching you?” Kanna wondered out loud, then looked around and let out a quick gasp, “Yes of course, sorry. Must have hit my head you know?”

Then Kyte looked puzzled as he looked at her eye. “Your eye color is green?” Kyte asked confused.

“Oh um… yea,” she replied nervously, “Hey, I got to get going, nice meeting you,” and she began running off.

“This place is weird,” he said to himself letting her go.

 

 

 

Kanna exited the dock and leaned against the door behind her. She took a deep breath of relief then brought her hand up and knocked on her head.

“You okay in there,” she thought to herself.

“Yea,” Kanna groaned, “What happened, Kitsune?”

“It seems you caught yourself a guy,” Kitsune thought jokingly, replying to Kanna.

“What happened,” Kanna gasped.

“Oh nothing, I pretended to be you and everything is okay,” Kitsune thought back, and Kitsune went into the ready room to change.

 

 

 

Girls, Guns, and Grades

 

 

 

In the Kamina room, the sisters Kitsune and Kanna had come to a disagreement. They were sitting in front of their computer with it opened to the student contacts page. Kyte Strife’s name highlighted to be called.

“No, no, no,” Kanna said disapprovingly, “I can’t.”

“Sure you can,” Kitsune replied, “Build up that back bone of yours.”

“Well currently you’re using it,” Kanna said making excuses.

Kitsune pacified her consciousness and allowed Kanna to control their body.

“That’s not fair!” Kanna retorted and Kitsune took control again.

“Look, I’ll do all the talking for the arrangements,” Kitsune said trying to compromise, “all you have to do is show up, look pretty, and study your till you can’t stay awake any longer.

At that, a promiscuous thought drifted into Kitsune’s thoughts and Kanna gasped.

“I will not!” Kanna disapproved.

“Sorry, hehe,” Kitsune replied, “Didn’t mean it like that.”

“But what if I do and he does?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him do anything,” Kitsune replied, “I’m not that desperate to get us a guy.”

“Fine but if he tries anything funny I’ll have your head.”

 

 

 

Kyte opened his bathroom door and steam billowed out as he walked into his living space. Only wearing jeans the cool air of the living space gave him a quick chill. A quaint place, it was set up with the head of the bed next to window with a desk on the far side of it and the kitchen and the dining area towards the front.

The computer at the desk began to ring and Kyte headed over to it. He opened the laptop computer and pressed a button. The Head Master Anselm’s image appeared on the screen.

“Good day, Kyte,” Anselm greeted.

“Good day,” Kyte replied.

“I need you to come to my office to review another partner that you have been paired with for another training exercise,” Anselm said, “You have been excused from your classes for the day for the exercise as well.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in 30 minutes.”

“See you then,” and Anselm’s image left the computer.

Kyte headed over to his dresser and put a shirt on when the computer began to ring again. Kyte finished putting the shirt on and headed over to the computer and pressed the button again, Kanna’s image appeared on the screen.

“Hey Kyte,” Kanna said, “I was, uh, wondering if you would like to study together for the test coming up next week?”

Kyte thought about it for a second, “I am going to miss class today and it would be helpful to study with another.”

“Okay,” Kyte replied, “how’s six tonight?”

“That will be great!” she said, “See you then.”

As the image faded he noticed her eyes were still green which made him wonder for a second before he went back to getting ready.

 

 

 

In Head Master Anselm’s office Natascha Anselm gave Kyte the file on his other partner. Kyte opened the file and noticed the picture of the girl, it was the girl he had met when he first arrived, then proceeded to read.

 

 

 

Name: Mihara, Riku                Age: 21

GP Rank: 78                           P Rank: 1

 

 

 

This Pilot (P) has an extreme skill to maneuver craft with such agility that has not been matched yet. Though this P’s Gemini twin Mihara, Risa comes the closest to this P’s ability, Risa lacks the agility this P can bring forth. The only problem observed is that no Gunner (G) can yet completely follow her movement to accurately target.

Suggested that this P be transferred to escort duty.

Schooling includes average grades in all subjects.

 

 

 

“What are Geminis?” Kyte asked.

“Hmm?” the Head Master replied, “It’s just a type of twin that appeared in the recent century.”

“Really?” Kyte questioned, “And one other thing, the final craft from my last exercise. What was it?”

“A test craft we have been developing, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Kyte looking at the file again he wondered about the plain answers he was given. He disregarded it for the time being and put the file on the desk, “I’ll be off then.”

“Godspeed.”

And Kyte left the room. A screen came up on the Head Masters desk and the middle aged man from before appeared on the screen.

“I got the report from you and Doctor Cadwell,” the man said, “Quite impressive I must say, but this P is erratic with her piloting. Do you think he will be able to keep up?”

“Of course, based on his skill he should have no trouble,” Natascha replied.

“Hehe, then what do you say we have Esperon fight in this exercise?”

“Are you mad?!?” Natascha exclaimed, “It was bad enough that we had Umberon out during his first.”

“True, but I say we need to know how skilled he is against a GP design.”

“No, we can’t send Esperon out. It’s too risky.”

“I’ve already made arrangements,” the man said reassuringly, “The U.N. won’t know a thing.”

Natascha Anselm rocked back and forth in her chair for a moment before reluctantly agreeing to the man, “Fine, but no more after this.”

“Fair enough.”

 

 

 

Kyte arrived at the dock and opened the door to the ready room. There he saw a girl completely undressed with long brown hair facing away from him. She looked back at him and he turned away.

“My apologies,” Kyte said, “I’ll wait out here.”

“Not needed,” she replied, “This is a mixed gender ready room, get in here and get ready.”

She was a little crude about it but she was right and Kyte entered the ready room. She slid her leg into her flight suit as Kyte began undressing.

“I’m Riku, Riku Mihara,” she said.

“Kyte Strife,” Kyte replied, still getting ready.

“I heard you met my sis the other day,” Riku said, and Kyte looked over at her, “Just because you saw my body you had better not get any funny ideas about Risa.”

Her green eyes full of emotion, emotion with some sort of ill intention towards him, but he turned his attention back to himself getting ready.

“Why would I do that?” Kyte replied putting on his flight suit, “I barely know her.”

“Hmm?” Riku questioned, “Just keep it that way.”

They walked out of the ready room and into the dock. The dock was similar to the other one but the craft inside was a different model. It was a smaller delta winged fighter with pairs of wings above and below the delta wing for more atmospheric maneuverability. As well, it had a larger engine and a number of boosters that were located all over the ship for higher maneuverability in space. The craft screamed out the high maneuverability and speed that it could put out in almost any circumstance.

 

They both climbed in. Riku’s seat was speeder style like in the other craft and she secured herself. Kyte sat into his seat which was upright and strapped himself in too. Riku turned the systems on and closed the cockpit.

“Control, this is G Kyte Strife,” Kyte said, “G and P are ready to launch.”

“Craft, this is Control,” Control replied, “Roger that, proceed with launch.”

Air hissed out of the ballast tanks as the craft sank into the water. Once completely submerged there was a loud clank of the rigging that released them. Riku throttled up quickly and the craft exploded out of the dock with amazing speed. Within moments they reached their destination.

“Control, this is P Mihara,” Riku said, “We are ready for the exercise to begin.”

“Craft, this is control. Roger that, the first exercise will be for the P only.”

Ahead a check point appeared on the digital display of the canopy and Riku put the throttle to full. She past the first check point with lightning speed and turned for the next. Kyte’s body jerked around from the tight turn. The check points kept getting closer and closer and without fault Riku sped through all of them. The next two check points could be seen. They were parallel to each other but that didn’t make Riku slow down any. The craft past through the first checkpoint and with brake neck speed had turned into the other. Again the craft turned shockingly fast, revealing the last check point where the one before had been place. Kyte’s body jerked deep into the seat as the craft accelerated with unbelievable speed and passing through the checkpoint with .5 seconds to spare.

“Very good,” Control said, “The next exercise will be the regular test, Begin.”

And like that enemy signatures appeared on the canopy display. They were surrounded horizontally. Riku drove the craft downward and began maneuvering it as a hail of fire started to past the craft. Kyte sent some random shots back at the enemy craft to disperse them. Riku leveled out the craft as several more enemy craft appeared in front of them and began firing. The cross fire was almost impossible to see through but Kyte continued his pot shots attempt to hit something in the field of lights. Their craft passed through the second group of enemies and Riku immediately turned the craft around but before Kyte could start firing Riku began maneuvering erratically. The most Kyte could do was make guesses on where to shoot next.

“I can’t keep this up forever,” Riku hollered at Kyte, “shoot something already!”

Kyte sat back for a moment sensing how she was moving the craft in comparison to the gun fire around them. Kyte suddenly shot a volley of fire in every direction hitting most of the enemy craft. Disarrayed, the remaining craft where easily picked off.

“Wow,” Riku said after the last enemy was shot, “Control, all targets eliminated.”

“Wait,” Kyte said.

Out in the distance the digital display was showing slight irregularities, irregularities like the one Kanna saw…

Several warning alarms went off and Riku started moving the craft again. Long range canon fire from an unknown source was shooting at them with deadly accuracy. Riku tried to get the craft closer but never seemed to gain any ground. Kyte tried firing at it but at that range it dodged all of it. The battle wore on with its accuracy getting better and better. Several shots grazed the craft but Kyte and Riku strived on.

“Enough,” said a voice over the communicated.

The gun fire finally stopped after a half hour stalemate. Riku collapsed on her console in relief and Kyte rested easy.

“Craft, this is Control,” Control said, “You did well.”

 

 

 

In the control room Dr. Cadwell starred at the screen displaying the exercise with grief. The Head Master, Natascha Anselm, on the other screen showing similar emotion about it.

“That was a waste of time,” the Doctor said, “I could have told you that it was going to turn out like this. There was no reason to put them through that much.”

“I know,” Natascha said, “Otis had gone through the trouble of disabling the observation satellites though and wanted to see what would happen.”

“Humph, I’ll tell him a thing or two,” Cadwell replied.

“Yes and I’ll give the kids the next day off. They deserve it.”

 

 

 

The setting sun could be seen through the window but Kanna paid no attention to that, she was rushing around the room cleaning. Kyte was expected any second and she hurried about to make sure everything was neat and orderly. Kitsune was sitting back in their mind lounging around as usual finding Kanna’s cleaning craze comical. Kanna stopped for a moment and looked around.

There was a knock on the door and Kanna went to answer. Kyte stood in the doorway books in hand.

“H… Hello Kyte,” Kanna said shyly, “C… come in.”

“Thank you,” Kyte said as he entered. He noticed her eyes were blue again but had decided that it must have been the lighting of the room.

Kanna closed the door behind him and they headed to the table to sit. Kyte spread his books out on the table keeping a social studies book in front of him.

“What was cover in social studies today?” Kyte asked.

“Oh?” Kanna questioned, then remembering that he wasn’t there today, “Oh yes, It was on chapters 21 and 22 covering World War III and the space colony revolution.”

Kyte nodded and turn his book to the section and began reading while taking notes. Kanna felt a little awkward but started to study herself

 

They studied silently for a while till Kitsune got bored.

“Come on,” she said to Kanna, “Talk to the guy.”

“About what?” Kanna replied, “We are studying.”

“Ask him how his day went, you know, why he wasn’t in class?”

“…okay.”

Kanna shifted around in her chair nervously waiting for a moment to talk. Kyte's thoughts were heavy into his studying and wasn’t aware the she was looking at him. Kanna nervously opened her mouth to talk but no words came out.

“Oh come on,” Kitsune laughed.

“Quiet, I’m trying,” Kanna argued, “You know I’m shy when it comes to these things.”

 

Kanna shifted in her chair again then asked, “How was your day, I didn’t see you in class.”

Kyte paused and looked up at her. “It was good,” Kyte said, “had a training session.”

“Oh really?’ Kanna question, “With whom?”

“The pilot Mihara,” Kyte replied.

“Oh, Risa or Riku?” Kanna asked obviously knowing who they were.

“Riku,” Kyte said finding the questions amusing, “Why do you ask?”

 

“Oh, umm,” Kanna said unready for the question, “Just, just wanting to know,” and Kanna went back to her studies.

Kitsune laughed.

“Don’t laugh,” Kanna said.

“You’re jealous,” Kitsune replied still laughing.

“What if I am?”

“You’ve never acted like this,” hinted Kitsune.

Kanna blushed for a moment then went back to studying. Kyte and Kanna talked a little more while they studied the rest of the night.

 

 

 

Risa was in one of her classes, the mid day sun outside had darkened the lighting of the class as Dr. Cadwell gave another lecture on the Sol threat to the present day lifestyle. Her eyes were faded as she looked off into nothingness, the only attachment to reality being the distant voice of Dr. Cadwell which only came across as mumbling and the voices of two other girls behind her.

“So Elsa,” one girl said, “did you hear that Strife has been going to Kamina’s room a few nights a week.”

Elsa giggled, “Really? I wonder, what do you think their doing Sakura?”

“Hey now, I never said anything like that,” Sakura giggled back.

Risa began thinking about Kyte and how they had met. Then the logic of what the girls behind her were saying hit. Kyte had been going to Kamina’s room for some reason. She wouldn’t allow this, after all she saw him first.

Riku sighed at the thought.

“No one asked you,” Risa responded.

“Your way too obsessed with this boy,” Riku said, “it’s not healthy for you to just think about him. Kamina got the courage to ask him, I’m sure you could put aside some for your other activities to do something with him.”

“I thought you didn’t like him,” Risa asked.

“I don’t but I hate seeing you like this. Tell your friends you’re busy tonight and go see him.”

“Your right,” Risa laughed, “I’ve made my life so busy that I was never able to really have a boy friend. Maybe I should start trying.”

After class Risa told her friends that she was busy and head off to the dorm. She Went back to her room real quick to refresh her makeup and then went to Kyte’s room and knocked on the door.

“Oh, hey Riku,” Kyte said after opening the door.

“Hehe, you silly boy,” Risa laughed, “I’m not Riku.”

Kyte looked at her for a second and then noticed that her eye color was different from Riku’s stern green.

“Oh, Risa how have you been,” Kyte corrected, “It’s been a while since we meet in the hall that day.”

“Yeah it has,” Risa replied, “I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat?”

“Actually I have a cup of rammen that I was eating.”

“Oh come on, my treat.”

Kyte gave a soft laugh, “Fine but I can pay for myself.”

They headed off to the train station and took to six to the east recreation building. The recreation buildings looked like a mall with all of the stores put next to each other. The food court being next to the station made it convenient to eat there too. Risa pulled Kyte into a Japanese restaurant and asked for a table for two. It wasn’t a busy night so they were seated immediately. After they place there order they began talking and Risa wasted no time.

“So I heard you have been going over to Kamina’s room recently,” Risa commented.

“Yes, we have been studying together every couple of nights,” Kyte Replied.

“Oh, because some girls were talking and they were suggesting that you two were doing something else,” Risa hinted.

“Well it’s not like I can control what others think about, though we have been kind of quiet about the fact that we study together.”

“I thought I should just tell you.”

“Well thank you,” Kyte said politely, “Can I ask you a question?”

 

“Sure,” Risa said in wonder.

 

“Why does your sister dislike me?”

 

“Huh?” Risa giggled nervously, “She, well, I told here about when I meet you and she think I like you.”

 

Kyte raised an eyebrow, “Well do you.”

 

“No, of course not,” Risa said, lying through her teeth, “I just had a passing crush, it happens to me every now and then.”

 

Kyte chukled a little, “Alright then, by the way how does your sister expect any Gunner to be able to shoot when she pilots like she does.”

 

Risa laughed and explained her and her sisters piloting technique to Kyte.

 

They continued to talk a little longer till their dinners came and they ate conversing every now and then. After dinner they headed back to the dorms.

“You didn’t have to walk me to my room you know,” Risa said.

“Just being polite,” Kyte responded.

“Well… thank you,” she said then half way went through the door, “Say, what do you think about us studying every couple of nights? We might not be in the same classes but we have the same subjects and I could use the help every now and then.”

“Why don’t you come to Kanna’s room with me next time, we study together.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“I’m sure she will be fine with it,” Kyte said.

“Okay, if you say so,” Risa agreed reluctantly.

“Alright, I’ll pick you up here tomorrow before going over to Kanna’s place.”

“Sure, see you then,” Risa said then went into her room closing the door behind her.

“Gosh, that didn’t quite go as planned,” Risa thought to herself.

“Oh really? What went wrong?” Riku asked.

“I wanted to be able to study with him alone.”

“Hey at least you’re going to be studying with him, right?”

“But it’s with Kamina,” Risa said.

 

“It’s with Kanna,” Riku replied, “Kitsune is the outgoing one that we always had issues with taking your crushes, remember?”

 

“I guess you’re right,” Risa sighed then perked up, “Tomorrow it is then.”

All Hallows Eve

 

 

 

The sun passed through the days now with a weary glow as autumn arrived. The air felt dense in the heat of the waning year and everyone seemed to move sluggishly from it. Behind the dorms though was bustling with activity. There were tents being erected, a stage being built, and carts being placed all around. It was close to the end of October and All Hollows Eve was quickly approaching.

The Three Aces as Kyte, Kanna, and Risa were nicknamed had done well with their study group and the girls never seemed to leave Kyte's side except for classes and exercises. Kyte didn’t mind the company but didn’t like the attention either, but when two young beautiful girls ask to hang around with you it would be impolite to turn them down.

Around this time a bus of new trainees came and these were the last of the year to come. Most looked happy to be their but one seemed discontent. He was a young man around 21 with striking black hair and piercing blue eyes. Followed by a young woman a year younger and their resemblance was apparent.

“He has two months on me here,” the young man said, “You hear that Kyren, two months!”

“Maybe,” The young woman replied, “but he still was yet to be paired with a partner. He would have needed time to adjust to his pilot, so calm down okay Zephyr.”

“I promise you I will not be second to him,” Zephyr gritted he teeth.

 

 

 

Evening had come and the sun could be seen setting outside the Head Masters windows. The orange tint made the situation feel tense as the Head Master looked on at Zephyr and Kyren.

“The Demios,” she thought to herself, “I was hoping that they wouldn’t come this year.”

Zephyr was obviously disgruntled about arriving so late in the year, though his sister seemed almost enjoyed that they were able to make it at all. Two of a kind yet so distance from each other, they work as a team like no other except for a couple other individuals.

“So you two are the Demios siblings,” the Head Master started, “I’m glad you could make it this year.”

“Can we skip the pleasantries,” Zephyr commented, “We have a lot of work ahead of ourselves.”

“Yes, of course,” the Head Master replied while handing them the keys to their room, “I got you rooms next to each other so if you need anything from each other you won’t have far to go.”

“Much appreciated,” Zephyr said with a smirk.

“Okay then, I’ll see you here tomorrow at 1100 hours then for your first exercise briefing.”

“Right then, we’ll be on our way then,” Zephyr said standing to his feet, “Come Kyren.”

Kyren nodded and followed her brother out of the room.

They headed through the dorm area and found their rooms. Zephyr unlocked his door and went inside and Kyren followed.

“You were given a room of your own you know,” Zephyr said.

“Yes, I know,” Kyren replied, “But I’ve never been comfortable by myself, you know that.”

Zephyr smirked, “Yeah yeah, you and your bugbears.”

“Don’t laugh at me,” she said disheartened.

“Hehe, sorry,” Zephyr said, “You can sleep in the bed, I’ll take the floor.”

“I couldn’t, not in your room.”

“Then let’s head over to yours.”

“… No, I’ll take the bed.”

Then next couple days passed with an exercise each day. The siblings quickly honed the abilities now that they were piloting an actual craft. Though their ability scoring still fell short of a couple they were glad to actually be able to practice. Each time getting slightly better, they were inching there way closer to the score leaders.

 

 

 

The Three Aces were hanging around the eastern recreation building. They split up to find bits and pieces for their costumes for Hollows Eve. Afterwards with bags in hand they went to eat.

“So, what do you think of the costumes we got?” Risa asked.

“It matches our rep,” Kyte said chuckling.

Kanna nodded.

“Yeah, this is going to be a great Halloween!” Risa exclaimed.

“Hehe, yeah,” Kyte sigh, “It would be better if we didn’t have a test that day though.”

“Oh no worries, we can study every night till test day,” Risa replied, “and when we ace the test it will make the day all the better.”

“Yes,” Kanna said, “Sounds like a plan.”

They ate then went to Kanna’s room to study, though by the laughter that came from Kanna’s room it was determined little studying actually occurred. They had tried on their costumes and were enjoying the night before the long week of studying.

 

 

 

The test came and went, each of them acing it as planned, and they hurried to get dressed and went to the Hollows Eve festival. They weren’t the only ones of acclaim that went though; the Demios had built their reputation quickly and had found costumes to match themselves.

Zephyr was walking around impatiently, his sister following close behind. Zephyr himself was dressed like a warlock and Kyren as a succubus. Zephyr didn’t have fun and games on his mind though, he was searching for someone. After an hour or so they took a break and stopped to grab a bite to eat from a cart near the haunted house. While eating a trio passed dressed in mechanical armor, each had a different card suit on their shoulder. Kyren didn’t notice until some other on lookers commented on the Ace’s costumes. Almost choking on her food at the comment she gasped to tell Zephyr.

“Chew your food Kyren,” Zephyr said jokingly.

Kyren swallowed painfully and cleared her throat, “Kyte, over there.”

“What, where!” Zephyr said looking around.

“The mechanical armor costumes,” Kyren said, “The black one.”

Zephyr watched as the Three Ace’s headed into the haunted house and gritted his teeth. He hurried towards the houses exit while beckoning Kyren to follow. There they waited till the Ace’s came out. First was a red suit, the Ace of Diamonds and a female voice came from it.

“Come on,” Risa said, “It wasn’t that scary.”

At that the black Ace of Spades came out with the red Ace of Hearts hanging off his arm.

“Be easy on her Risa,” Kyte laughed lifting up his visor, “Not everyone can be a tomboy.”

“What was that Kyte!?” Risa retorted.

“I… I’m fine,” Kanna said letting go of Kyte and lifting her visor as well.

Zephyr laughed then said, “Look at you, top gunner wasn’t enough you had to get two whores to follow you too.”

“Who the hell are you!?” Risa exclaimed after raising her visor.

“Risa Mihara, age 21 and number one Pilot,” Kyren examined, “Kanna Kamina, age 20 and number one Gunner Pilot.”

“With that kind of statistics they must have been expensive,” Zephyr continued.

Risa gritted her teeth, “You bastard...”

“Risa.” Kyte interrupted, “Stand down, I’ll deal with him.”

“That’s right, down girl. Good girl,” Zephyr chuckled.

“Leave them out of it,” Kyte said, “your fight is with me.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Zephyr replied. “A dual, you choose which whore you will fight with. If you win I’ll stay off your back, but if I win we take the number one holding of Gunner and Pilot.”

“Deal,” Kyte answered.

Zephyr gave out a chuckle and as he was walking away said, “I’ll set it up, but please try to be there before midnight. I do want some rest.”

The Aces stood there for a moment waiting for the Demios’s to leave their sight and once they did they began to discuss what they would do.

“Take me,” Risa said. “It will be an even fight G&P versus G&P.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Kyte agreed, “but I have a better one. Risa, did your sister tell you about our first exercise together?

“Yeah, why?”

“The unit we faced fought at a range and accuracy like Kanna,” Kyte explained. “A fighter craft like that wouldn’t be able to get close enough to be able to do anything in that kind of circumstance.”

“So you want me to be your partner?” Kanna asked.

“Yes,” Kyte replied, “I’ll tell you how to fight him on our way there.”

“What about me,” Risa said, “I’m not going to stand by and let him insult me like that.”

“You’ll get you time Risa,” Kyte said, “But right now we need to beat him, for my sake and yours.”

“Alright, but you had better let me get a shot in on him next time we see him.”

 

 

 

They headed for the docks, the hum of the train made the situation seem almost dreamlike as they sped through the night on the way to the fight. Kyte remembered back to his schooling days. Even back then Zephyr had the desire to be first but he had always been able to out match him a little every time. Zephyr was jealous about the attention Kyte got but if he only knew that it wasn’t worth it. The constant schooling and training that he was put through left little time with friends and the favorability he got always made the other student dislike him. All of this because he was just that much better the other students.

The hour grew close to midnight by the time they got there and indeed everything was already ready. The lights were on and the moving walk ways were on. They approached the screen and control told Kyte and Kanna where they needed to go and invited Risa to watch from the observation deck. Kyte and Kanna got ready and got in their craft.

“Are you ready Kanna?” Kyte asked.

“Yes, I think so.” Kanna replied.

“Hehe, don’t worry. Just do as I said and we won’t lose.”

Kanna nodded, “Okay.”

They made their preparations and were released from the dock.

 

 

 

In the observation deck Risa waited. The room was semicircular in shape with chairs placed here and there. Kyte and Kanna’s craft was shown on the right side while Zephyr and Kyren’s was shown on the left. Straight ahead the screens still showed the view of the ocean; the moons light making it sparkle like stars.

“You know they really aren’t bad kids,” a voice said startling her, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“Dr. Cadwell?” Risa said surprised, “What are you doing here?”

“Those two were going to fight sooner or later, what a night they choose yes?”

Risa nodded.

“Zephyr has always been jealous of Kyte’s abilities,” Dr. Cadwell said, “And for being normal he is actually the best we got.”

“Normal?” Risa asked, “Is Kyte not normal?”

“I have wondered that myself,” Dr. Cadwell replied, “He has the brain patterns of a Gemini but has no twin.”

“He’s a Gemini!?!” Risa exclaimed.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know it. He was never told.”

Risa stared off into the ocean, her expression saddened.

Dr. Cadwell saw this and said, “Cheer up, he will know soon enough.”

“But what about the rest of us,” Risa replied, “What haven’t you told us.”

Dr. Cadwell sighed, “There is a lot, but we aren’t allowed to say.”

Risa continued to stare of at the ocean.

“We all have secrets that we or people don’t want others to know about,” Dr. Cadwell said trying to cheer Risa up, “Kyren herself is afraid of losing her brother and being alone. When she turned 13 their parents died, a little after that Zephyr got her a dog to try to cheer her up but shortly after he did the dog was hit by a car and died, and when she was 16 she found a young man and fell in love but he tragically died in a accident at his work.”

“Poor girl,” Risa responded.

“Indeed, her biggest fear is to be separated from her brother in fear of losing him. That’s why she became his pilot; if he were ever to die in combat she would be right there beside him.”

The screen suddenly changed to a field plot with two markers representing the two ships. Control gave a speech on the combat field, the opponents, and the craft types they were using then gave a countdown for the match to start.

“3…2…1…” Control said.

 

 

 

Kanna geared the craft to move backwards at full speed while launching volleys at their target. As Kyte had predicted their opponent stayed at a distance because of Kanna’s accuracy and couldn’t catch up even though they Kanna could only move the ship at half the rate. Tired of trying to get close Zephyr started firing pot shots at his opponents’ craft. Because of the range though Kanna easily evaded the shots and continued her barrage.

“Dammit Kyren, get me closer,” Zephyr said frustrated.

“I can’t brother. Her accuracy is too good even at this range,” Kyren replied.

Then Kyte shot a barrage of fire himself at the target. The hail storm of shots severely limited Kyren’s maneuverability and the next couple of shots from Kanna were unavoidable. Zephyr and Kyren’s craft was hit and the communication line went silent. Then with a burst of rage Zephyr could be heard cursing.

 

 

 

“That was expected,” Dr. Cadwell said, “Well, good night Ms. Mihara and do cheer up. Nothing can be kept a secret forever.”

Dr. Cadwell walked out of the room. Risa stared at the screen for a second or two, and then smiled.

“It doesn’t change much whether we know or not at this point. We are who we are because we choose to be, not because of what we were born as,” Risa said to herself remembering back to her child hood. Though her parents were American they were stationed in Japan. That’s where her parents died and shortly after met Kanna and Kitsune. Both her and Kamina grew up in the same schools and were friends till they were separated for their unique training for their class, and now there back together as friends like nothing had ever happened between them. She smiled then left to meet up with Kyte and Kanna.

 

 

 

Dr. Cadwell got to his room and began to take off his shoes when a video screen appeared beside him. He looked over at it and saw the upset Headmaster looking at him.

 

“Well, how did it go?” Natascha asked.

 

“You weren’t watching?” Dr. Cadwell replied standing up, the plasma video screen following him.

 

“No,” Natascha said, “Otis had called wanting an update on our progress.”

 

“Well you didn’t miss much.”

 

“So it went as we expected?”

 

“Yes, though I had a talk with Mihara,” Dr. Cadwell said.

 

“Oh really,” Natascha replied, “About what.”

 

“The untold secrets of the Gemini.”

 

“You didn’t.”

 

“Of course not,” Dr. Cadwell said, “Only about Kyte.”

 

“The U.N. would have our heads if we told anyone,” replied Natascha.

 

“They would have had the Gemini’s heads as well if it weren’t for you. You’re an angel to them and they don’t even know it.”

 

“Please don’t refer to me like that,” Natascha said disheartened, “I am glad that I had made the report because I got to meet so many of them and know their struggles, but at the time that I made the report it was merely a scientific view. If it wasn’t for me and that report they might have been able to keep their parents.”

 

“Nonsense, they would have been killed along side their parents for being Geminis if it wasn’t for you,” Dr. Cadwell said, “The U.N. had already decided to get rid of those that used the mecha-psy because they would birth Geminis in stead of letting them live under surveillance. If you hadn’t stepped in with your scientific view those kids would have died as well.”

 

“I will still shed a tear for the pain I put them through in this war,” she said as a tear ran down her cheek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Red

 

 

 

Winter came quick and snow blanketed the facility. Fields of white and skies of grey set a sullen feel to the landscape and the howl of some wolves at night made people feel a chill that went straight to the bone. Though every now and then snowball wars started and lighten the mood.

Kyte had got some time alone from the other Aces, the girls had gone shopping, and he was walking toward the school house food court unwary of the little eyes that were watching him. Kyte approached the entrance to the food court when a little girl jumped out from behind a wall and chucked a snowball at Kyte. Unready for the surprise attack he was saved be his quick reflexes and the snowball flew by and exploded against the far wall.

“Ah, why did you have to dodge it,” Abrielle said. “It was hard to keep it from melting.”

Earlier in the month little Abby had mistaken Kyte for Steven again but he had avoided her attack and ever since she has been stalking Kyte trying to get him.

“Nice try Abby,” Kyte replied smiling, “maybe next time.”

“You bet’cha, I won’t miss,” she said then ran off to plan her next attack.

Kyte laughed and looked toward some clapping. He hadn’t noticed that there was an audience of the incident.

“Impressive,” said the young man, “It’s been a while Kyte.”

Kyte recognized him but couldn’t place the name.

“Hey, hehe,” Kyte replied, “Good to see you again.”

“You forgot my name, didn’t you?” he asked.

Kyte embarrassingly nodded.

“No problem, I’m Delven Landis,” Delven said, “Anyways being 154 in the ranking doesn’t reward any fame so I’m not surprised.”

“It’s not what it’s cracked up to be,” Kyte laughed.

“I know, why don’t I pay for your lunch and you give me some tips on being a gunner?”

“Sure,” Kyte laughed.

 

 

 

The girls were in the east recreation building walking towards the maglev station. Risa and Kanna had gone shopping, something they hadn’t done in a while because they had been hanging around Kyte so much. Lethargic from their shopping spree they had let Kitsune and Riku walk back. They didn’t mind though, it was a good time for them to talk.

“Really.” Kitsune replied, “Who would have guessed he was a Gemini too.”

“Dr. Cadwell seems very informed,” Riku analyzed.

“Well, back to Kyte.”

“What about him.”

“We both know your sister likes him,” Kitsune said, “but what about you?”

“Yeah right,” Riku laughed, “He isn’t my type. What about you?”

“Me?” Kitsune replied, “I never was good at finding a decent guy so I left that task to Kanna.”

“Seems about right,” Riku giggled, “And I should be the one finding a guy not Risa. She’s such a floozy.”

“I am not.” Risa yelled at Riku.

“Anyhow, Kyte is probably waiting for us,” Kitsune said.

“Right,” Riku nodded.

 

 

 

The snow fell gently outside of the Head Masters window. The grey sky calmingly stretched out towards the seas which in turn stretch its frozen body towards the white shore. The Head Master stared out upon the landscape, her mind deep in a dream of the frozen wonderland. The ping of the elevator woke her from her daydream and she spun in her chair to greet the visitor. He step out of the elevator and greeted the Head Master.

“Good afternoon Steven,” Natascha said.

“I have word on the Aces,” Steven said.

“Really?” Natascha asked, “There isn’t much trouble to be caused on a day like this.”

“It seems the Demios have signed the Aces up with themselves to do a local job.”

“Continue.”

“The local farmers had filed reports of wolves killing live stock and in one case killed a little boy and they want to problem dealt with. To what I have gathered the alpha of the pack is grey in color and approximately two to three time large than the average wolf.”

“Ornamis…” Natascha gasped.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Steven replied.

“So what do you say we do?”

“Give them a big brother.”

“Dr. Cadwell, you are implying that we let them waltz right into that monsters grasp?” Natascha said appalled.

“I don’t like it any more than you,” said Steven Cadwell, “But this is good training against an opponent that they don’t know.”

Natascha turned in his chair and looked out at the landscape, “So it’s either Ornamis now or the Sol later.”

“I’ll get the team together,” Dr. Cadwell said and left.

Natascha continued to stare at the dull colored sky, dreaming again but this time of that awful time long ago. She was much younger then, a prodigy for her age. The military had just started testing the mecha-psy on animals. Back then the facility looked very different. There were more buildings in between what was now the school house and the out laying buildings. In the school house, back then a lab, Natascha was the lead doctor on the testing of the mecha-psy on the fenris. Household dogs, foxes, coyotes, and wolves, and one wolf in general showed some minor side effects. Code named Ornamis this wolf had developed heightened levels of aggression, a slight increase in intelligence and grew a substantial amount, at least to what was recorded. One day Ornamis escaped from his cage and though the MPs of the facility searched the lab building thoroughly, to no avail was Ornamis found. Now he was back, but for what reason would he come back to this place. Why…

 

 

 

The girls had caught up with Kyte in the school house cafeteria talking to a less know gunner.

“So how did a low ranking gunner like you get to know a Kyte?” Risa asked.

“Well, he held the train at the station for me once,” Delven said.

“At least he isn’t a fan boy,” Riku said and Risa giggled.

“Kyte was helping me with a few tips at being a gunner.”

“He needs help does he?” Riku thought, “Hey Risa, tell him that I probably wouldn’t mind helping him.”

“You want to help him,” Risa thought back, “That’s not like you.”

“Just do it.”

“Hey Delven,” Risa said, “My sister Riku has had some free time, you might want to ask her to help you a little too.”

“Her help him?” Kyte questioned, “You probably shouldn’t be offering your sisters services like that.”

Kanna giggled at the remark.

“Well I wouldn’t,” Kyte reiterated.

“Someone should really tell that boy,” Riku laughed.

They continued to talk when a familiar face entered the cafeteria. The young man looked around for a moment looking through the few groups that were there and found who he was looking for. They didn’t notice him till he got to the table and slapped a piece of paper on the table.

“Kyte,” Zephyr said, “Let’s go out and refresh our skills.”

“What are you up to this time,” Kyte laughed.

“With all the snow and the docks being shut down it’s been kind of boring,” Zephyr replied, “Until I found this.”

Zephyr pushed the paper he had into the middle of the table. It was a wanted poster from the local farms in the area. They were searching for someone to take care of some wolf issues that they had been having and the reward was quite lucrative. The details of it were to kill off the wolf pack that had moved into the area recently with the alpha male of the pack being the main target.

“Come on,” Zephyr enticed, “It’s just a little hunting trip to refresh our skills.”

“Hehe, fine,” Kyte said, “Let’s go.”

“Oh but what about the ladies?” Zephyr asked, “Kyren is getting enough gear for all of us.”

“I’ll go,” Risa said.

“I will as well,” Kanna agreed softly.

“Hmm, and you,” Zephyr said looking over at Delven, “We don’t have enough gear for your new friend here, is that okay?”

“No problem,” Delven replied, “I need to get going anyways.”

“You sure?” Kyte asked.

“Yea, we’ll get together another time,” Delven said as he left the table.

“Alright then, shall we be on our way?” Zephyr said motioning to go.

 

 

 

Kyren was waiting at the receptionist desk in the dorm building with all the gear. She was staring out the front door at the cold wind blowing snow across the frozen field. She gave a quick shutter and turned around to see her brother and the Aces approaching.

“You were able to get everything?” Zephyr asked.

“Yes, five rifles, five pistols, five combat knifes, extra ammunition, and five sets of winter gear with hunting cowls,” Kyren replied.

“Good, let’s get going.”

They all put on the winter gear and the red hunting cowls and headed into the white washed environment. The bitter cold immediately stung their faces but they continued on. They struggled through the wind as they marched towards the woods. As they approached their destination the wind died down and they looked up to see the massive trunks of several trees. In early 2060s several sequoia trees where brought there from the U.S. and based on the number there now they flourished with great precedence. They walked into the forest and inhaled the stagnant evergreen air.

“We should start looking just south of here,” Zephyr said, “It’s in the location that the farmers had seen some of the wolves go.”

Kyte nodded and led the way. The forest was quiet with just the feint howl of the wind above trees. There was a heavy fog too, a light gray that obscured sight too only about 50 meters.

Kyren was feeling unsure at this point about the hunt. Something wasn’t right but she couldn’t put her finger on it. A slight wind blew by her ear, seemingly talking to her but she couldn’t make out what it said. It came by again, ‘lose him’ is what she had caught. She shook her head thinking that her mind was playing tricks of her but the wind came by again.

“You’re going to lose him,” it said and her heart instantly dropped.

“No,” she thought to herself covering her ears, “Go away.”

“You can’t be with him here,” it whispered again, “You’re going to lose him.”

“No,” she said under her breath and tearing up, “Go away, go away.”

“You’re going to lose him,” it continued, “and you will be all alone again.”

“No!” she screamed out and fell to her knees weeping.

The group had turned around hearing the scream.

“Kyren!” Zephyr called out running to her.

Kyren just sat there on her knees mumbling, “I don’t want to be alone,” over and over.

Zephyr grabbed onto her shoulders and said, “Kyren, Kyren, I’m right here.”

Kyren stopped for a moment and looked up to him. Seeing that he is fine she jumped into him holding him tightly.

“I can’t lose you,” she cried, “I don’t want to be alone again.”

“Don’t worry,” Zephyr said comfortingly, “I’m right here.”

There was a moment of silence as Kyren wept in the arms of her brother. Then feint howl was heard in the distance which caught everyone’s attention.

“Go on without us,” Zephyr said, “We will catch up if we can.”

Kyte and the girls nodded and headed off, deeper into the woods. The howls became more frequent and louder as they got closer and they slowed to a swift but silent walk forwards with their guns drawn. Slowly they continued through the fog knowing their target could be just in front of them. As they crept closer the fog began to lift and ahead of them they saw a wolf in the distance. The wolf instinctively raised its head and looked at the intruders. It gave out a bark and several others came out of the dense fog. Kyte and the girls aimed their guns at the wolf but several more growled on either side of them. They had been surrounded.

Like lightning, the fighting broke out. Kyte had fired a couple shots then dropped the rifle for his pistol and knife while Risa just forgot the rifle and grabbed at the knife and pistol. Kanna had not been attacked immediately, and backed up to fire her rifle but two of the wolf saw this and approached her. She had been separated from Kyte and Risa and the wolves seem to sense her incompetence in close combat.

“Run,” said a mysterious voice.

Not thinking of anything else she could do, she followed the advice and darted into the forest. The wolves perused, hot on her heals. Kyte and Risa were still busy trying to stay alive themselves to notice that Kanna had run off. Every now and then Kanna would make a quick spin and take a pot shot at the wolves, narrowly missing every time. Eventually she found her way into a clearing where a giant wolf was standing. She stopped and raised her gun at it but another wolf grabbed the gun out of her hands. She reached for her pistol but her hand was bit by one of the pursuing wolfs.

“There, there, little one,” said the mysterious voice, “There is no need for violence.”

Kanna looked around to see who was talking and realized that it was the giant wolf that stood in front of her.

“Who are you?” She asked.

“I am Ornamis,” the wolf said telekinetically.

“What do you want of me,” Kanna continued to question.

“You intruded on our land to hunt us,” Ornamis replied, “Are we to stand by and watch you as you do this?”

“We were told you were killing farmers live stock. That’s why we came out here.”

“Ah, very noble of you but this land belong to us since before the farmers were here.”

Kanna sat in silence and winced a little from the wolf’s grasp on her hand.

“Now then,” Ornamis began, “What shall I do with you.”

One of the wolves barked and Ornamis laughed.

“And what a great meal she’ll make,” Ornamis said, “But there is more to this one than meets the eyes. Why don’t you let your sister talk Kanna?”

“Wha?” both Kanna and Kitsune said.

“Surprised?” Ornamis asked, “I can see right into your soul, the pain and torture that you have from not being able to be as social as your sister, I see it all.”

“You bastard,” Kitsune said talking control and mule kicked the wolf that was holding her hand.

She quickly grabbed her combat knife and slashed at the lounging wolves, killing them as they passed by. Then she charged at Ornamis but another wolf got her leg and she fell to the ground. Yet another wolf rushed up and bit her other hand, making her drop the knife. Ornamis slowly walked up to her. All Kitsune could see is his feet as he chuckled.

“Maybe eating this one isn’t such a bad idea,” Ornamis said and lounge his jaws down at her.

Time seemed to slow down as Kitsune sensed Ornamis’s jaws coming closer to her neck, but then a shot rang out and Ornamis fell atop her. She felt the other two wolfs let go of her and several more shots were made. Propping herself up on her bloodied hands, she roll the giant wolf off her. She looked around but couldn’t see anyone, and then a blurred outline moved closer to her.

“Are you okay?” said a man.

“Yes,” Kanna replied, “I am okay now.”

A blurred hand reached up to the blurred figure of a head and the man appeared in front of her.

“Who are you?” Kanna asked.

“Well, I guess in this case I’m the lumberjack.”

Kanna looked at him strangely.

“We should get going,” the man said, “My comrades have your friends on the edge of the forest.”

The man picked Kanna up and carried her. The fog had almost vanished now and a cool breeze blew between the trees and brushed across Kanna’s cheek. The feeling was nice after the intensity of the fighting. Kanna looked up at her savior but not much of his features could be determined through his gear. They emerged from the woods and there was Kyte and Risa along with four other “lumberjacks”.

“Kanna.” Risa exclaimed, “Your okay.”

“For the most part,” she said holding up her hands.

“We will get you to the infirmary,” Kyte said and a transport arrived, “thanks again guys, whoever you are.”

Half of them nodded as Kyte and Risa got inside the vehicle while Kanna was placed in side by the man carrying her. The men reached up to their foreheads and disappeared into the surrounding as the transport drove off. The wind had died down and the snow looked almost surreal in the waning light of the day.

Once they got back to the dorm building they walked inside, Kyte carrying Kanna, and saw the Demios waiting for them.

“About time,” Zephyr said, “You had us worried.”

“No worries,” Risa said with a thumb up.

“Are you alright Kanna?” Kyren asked noticing her injuries.

“I’ll be okay,” Kanna replied, “and what about you?”

Kyren sighed, “I’ll be okay. I just need some rest.”

And they all headed off to their rooms except Kyte who brought Kanna to the infirmary.

 

 

 

“And so ends another exciting day,” Dr Cadwell said.

“These kids will be the end of me, I swear it,” The Head Master replied.

Dr. Cadwell laughed.

“Next time let’s try and keep them out of trouble in the first place,” she said.

“Yes, that might be a better idea,” the Doctor replied.

 

 

 

Finals, Fairs, and Festivities

 

 

 

Soon enough the snow melted and the weather got warm. The skies went from grey to a beautiful blue, the fields from a dying brown to a lively green. The earth was renewing once again and all the students were as energetic as ever. The spring festival was close at hand and along with it the combat tests for the reranking. But, of course, before the fun could take place the semester finals must be passed. All of the students were in a studying frenzy to pass, including the Aces.

The Aces themselves weren’t too worried but the new guy, Delven Landis, had managed to get Riku to help him and his theoretical rank had been rising. If he could pass the finals and score high enough in the reranking, he could be accepted as an Ace. So he had a tremendous amount of pressure on him.

The Demios, on the other hand, had studied well in advance and was taking this time to relax. Though they always work to be the best, they settled on second until they found their chance to grab first.

 

 

 

The day of the final came and the weight of it could be felt in the air. The school house was pack with testing students. Pencil scratches and eraser rubs alone with the occasional cough broke the silence in the rooms as the tests were completed. Slowly, one by one, there were sounds of shifting bodies as the students brought their completed test to the professors.

Delven had been sweating bullets the entire time he was taking the test, slowly making his way through the questions. Occasionally the snap of his pencil would break what silence there was followed by him clicking the eraser for more graphite to come out. Finally he got to the end but continued to scrutinize over the test double and triple checking answers. He quietly stood still looking at the paper and slowly walked to the front. Continuing to scan through the questions and answers he stood at the professors’ desk until accepting that he had done his best and placed his test in the pile among the others.

He walked out of the classroom and headed down the hall toward the maglev station, joining other students that had completed their tests. In the station the Aces were waiting for Delven as he nervously approached them.

“So, how’d it go?” Risa asked.

“Alright I guess,” Delven replied.

“You don’t sound sure of yourself,” Risa commented.

“Well I did my best,” Delven said.

“No worries,” Risa replied, “Riku shouldn’t be too hard on you if you completely blow it.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Delven responded nervously. And they all left to get something to eat.

Meanwhile the Demios just got out of their class after finishing their test. Zephyr walking with a sinister grin on his face with Kyren following. She was just happy to have it done with.

“Heh, with how much I studied I’ll get a higher score than him for sure,” Zephyr said.

“Are you ever going to drop it with him?” Kyren asked.

“Why should I,” Zephyr replied, “I’m just as good as he is. I just need to find the chance to pass him up”

Kyren laughed.

“Let’s just be glad to be moving on then,” Zephyr gave in.

“Sounds good to me.”

 

 

 

The Spring Fair started the next day and outside the dock building was bustling with activity. The reranking was being conducted at the same time and many watched from the docks observations lounge, outside there were games, tents, and food vendors everywhere. The excitement could be felt throughout the area.

The Aces had decided to dress in their Halloween costumes again, along with them Delven was allowed to be the Ace of Clubs, and the commotion spread quickly through the crowds. Looking like futuristic soldier the Aces walked around playing games and having fun.

Finally the Aces had their turn in the reranking competitions of the day. Kyte paired up with Kanna and Delven with Riku who had shown up at the last minute as Risa disappeared. The squads of students that showed up were split into two forces. Each student and their partner were to be graded and ranked on their combat efficiency within the force that they were in. This allowed for a more accurate reading of their abilities. But for this particular skirmish force two was at a heavy disadvantage because all of the Aces were place on force one.

“Dammit Kyren,” Zephyr was raving, “how did we get put on force two.”

“Well,” Kyren attempted to explain, “The Aces by all means should have been broken up considering their abilities but, due to the gunner Delven Landis, Riku Mihara’s survivability rating went down making them more likely to be put with the other Aces.”

“Well that doesn’t help us in this case now does it?” Zephyr complained.

“Not really,” Kyren replied, “Delven’s theoretical ranking is now 23, which makes their ability much greater than the old ranking would suggest.”

Zephyr sighed, “Let’s at least try to be the last to be taken out, okay?”

“Though that’s only a 13.52 percent chance, it shouldn’t be too hard if we avoid the Aces till closer to the end.”

“Alright then,” Zephyr said, “Let’s be the devils of this fight.”

Zephyr grasped his controls as Kyren revved the engine.

 

 

 

“What luck huh?” Kanna was saying, “We actually got placed on the same side.”

“That’s because this knuckle head was such a horrible gunner,” Riku made fun.

“Hey, I’ve gotten better mind you,” Delven retorted.

“Yeah, just do as you have and we might stay in the battle for more than a couple minutes,” Riku laughed.

“Now, now you love birds,” Kyte joked, “We’re starting soon.”

“Roger that,” Delven replied, “Locked and loaded.”

 

 

 

The two sides were ready to go, only waiting for the force commanders to be ready. Force two got the signal to fire and a hail storm of bullets rained at force one. Force one in turn fired back but took heavy losses. Force two who was already on the move and avoided most of the counter attack, and its fighters were moving in while its artillery ships continued suppression fire. Riku and Delven headed off into the fray while Kyte and Kanna stayed back, picking of the opposing artillery ships. The Demios entered combat with the opposing force and left deactivated ships behind.

“The Aces have entered the combat zone,” Kyren said.

“Good, let’s keep a fair distance from them and see how well the Delven fights,” Zephyr replied.

The Demios ship moved towards the other side of the ring that the fighter craft had made. The center had been left empty to avoid the artillery crossfire. Delven and Riku were making a fantastic display of maneuverability and combat potency as the weaving craft seared by opposing craft leaving them deactivated behind them.

“The Demios craft has moved away from us,” Delven reported.

“Really now,” Riku replied, “They won’t get away that that easy.”

Riku turned the craft and headed straight through the now dwindling cross fire of the artillery craft. With her expertise she maneuvered the craft through without being hit and dived into the heightened conflict that was raging on the other side.

“Brother!” Kyren cried out.

“Crap,” Zephyr replied, “They came straight for us.”

“Based on our abilities we should win a one on one.”

“Alright then, let’s trump the pair of Aces with our straight.”

The Demios craft quickly arced back toward the incoming Aces craft. Riku began maneuvering the ship in expectance of incoming fire and Kyren did the same as their gunners started firing at each other. The skill level was evident of the experienced combatants and the Demios craft was outpacing the Aces craft.

“Dammit,” Riku yelled, “We aren’t going to win like this.”

The Aces craft suddenly pulled off into the center as the Demios pursued. Out there, there was more to worry about than just the enemy craft. With both of the forces top fighters in the center the artillery craft had a more potent target to fire at. The cross fire increased as the Aces craft turned to engage the Demios once again. Like a ballet the two craft moved and spun as they dodged the crossfire as well as fire from each other. Most of the fighter craft on both sides had been deactivated at this point and a good number of the surviving ones began adding their own gun fire at the center. The middle looked like a sparkler by this point with the two ships dancing in the flame. The fight had become more of a spectacle with more and more people coming to watch the unbelievable act of maneuverability the two craft were displaying. By this point though the Demios and Aces craft had almost stopped firing at each other because of the difficulty to see through the shower of bullets from the other craft. Finally, fed up with the impracticality of the fight the two craft shot out of the center and head for the interlopers. The sight became amusing for the on lookers of the observation deck as the top forces fighter disengaged to take out the now fleeing interloping fighter craft. And at that Kyte and Kanna took the chance to finish of the distracted opposing artillery craft.

The fight had come down to one fighter and three artillery craft on force one versus the last surviving fighter craft on force two.

“Well brother,” Kyren remarked, “We are the last ones.”

“True,” Zephyr agreed, “But let’s not disappoint the on lookers.”

The Demios craft bolted at the remaining artillery craft of force one. Kyte and Kanna knew this fight all too well and began to back up but the other two inexperienced craft sat there firing at them in blissful ignorance thinking that they would land their mark. The Demios make quick work of the inexperienced and turn their sights on the only threat they could beat. Kanna began firing her artillery as the Demios craft engaged the Aces fighter.

“I think this is the fight we tried to avoid earlier,” Delven remarked jokingly.

“Shut it and keep firing,” Riku retorted.

The Demios craft clearly out matched the Aces but couldn’t quite get a hit on them while Kanna was firing at them. The Demios were clearly not going to leave the battle without that last hit and were starting to out maneuver the Aces craft. At last The Demios fired a shot that hit the Aces, it was all to unfortunate that they had to make a predictable move to do it and got hit by the well placed shot from the artillery craft left on force one.

The battle had come to an end with force one having one surviving ship. Just like after a sports game a loud cheer could be heard from all around. The match of a life time had ended and all those lucky enough to be there as it unfolded cheered relentlessly for the hours to come. And come those hours did and the day turned to night, but just because it was now night didn’t mean things would calm down.

 

 

 

A party was thrown in the dorm buildings lounge and almost the entire school was invited. The lounge its self took up most of the third floor so there was plenty of space for anyone wanting to come. It was symmetrical with sitting areas, pool tables, air hockey, and TVs scattered though out with the main big screen in the center with semicircular seating. On the screen Battle 02 of the 2029 Spring Reranking was on repeat, the one that the Demios and Aces fought in. The Demios and Aces watched it through, when they arrived, to see what they had done and were given props throughout the rest of the party.

The party continued and though no alcohol was permitted, every now and then a student would be seen with a can. Kanna had left the group to talk to some of Kitsune's friends and Kyte every now and then thought he saw her with a can.

Soon it got late and gradually people started to leave and eventually Kanna rejoined the other Aces. Soon after that, the Demios and Delven left leaving the remaining Aces alone resting on the couch exhausted from the event filled day. Kanna had passed out on the one of the couches while Risa and Kyte sat on one perpendicular to Kanna’s.

“Well that was fun,” Risa giggled.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” Kyte said.

“You know we have more reranking tests tomorrow, Right?” Risa said.

“Yeah, but those are the normal tests and nothing near what we had to do today,” Kyte replied.

“Hmmm, well anyways I’m going to be getting to bed,” Risa said while standing up.

“Okay, good night,” Kyte said laying down on the couch and closing his eyes for a moment stretching.

Just then Kyte felt a soft touch on his lips and opened his eyes to see Risa. She giggled and put a finger to her lips and waved good night. Kyte laid there a little stunned as he watched Risa leave. Kyte sat up and decided to head to bed himself, then looked down at Kanna. He knelt down and picked her up and carried her off to her room. Her head rested on his shoulder as he carried her and for a moment mumbled something that Kyte couldn’t make out. He got to her door and gently shook her awake. Kanna woke and looked around for a moment, noticing that they were at her room she reached in her pocket and unlocked the door then laid her head back in Kyte shoulder.  Kyte gave a smile and walked into her room. He went over to her bed and laid her in it, but as he started to stand he felt her grab onto his shirt.

“Please stay,” Kanna said softly, “Just till I fall asleep again.”

Kyte grabbed a chair that was nearby and sat in it and watched Kanna fall asleep, her holding his hand ever so lovingly. After she was sound asleep Kyte left her room, stopping in the doorway for a second, and then headed off to bed himself.

 

 

 

Kyte woke up the next morning still exhausted from the previous day and sluggishly got ready for the reranking test. He had just gotten fully ready and was about to leave when he had a knock on his door. Upon opening the door he saw Kanna with an unusual smile.

“Good morning Kyte,” She said and held out a brown bag, “Here, I made you lunch for today.”

“Thank you,” Kyte said accepting the lunch, “How are you feeling today.”

“My head hurts a little but I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t have got drunk last night,” Kyte laughed.

“But that was Kitsu… Heh, I mean yea.”

Kyte looked at her for a second.

“Well,” Kanna said, “I need to get going,” and gave Kyte a quick kiss on the cheek before she ran off.

Kyte watched her awkwardly as she ran off down the hall. He shook his head and turned around to grab his bag to leave, but heard someone else come up to the door.

“She’s kind cute like that,” Risa said, “Don’t you think.”

“She and Kitsune are the same, aren’t they?” Kyte asked.

“But how, I mean…” Risa responded.

“That’s what a Gemini is, isn’t it.”

Risa looked away, “Yes, that is who we are. Two beings in one body, sharing thoughts and coexisting, living two lives but hiding as one. But don’t pay attention to that, she loves you. Don’t throw her love aside so easily.”

“What about you?” Kyte asked.

“Me? You win some, you lose some,” She replied, “Anyways, Riku likes Delven.”

“Don’t tell him that!” Riku yelled then covering her mouth, “Dammit, Risa get back out here and finish taking to him.”

Kyte laughed as Risa retook control of their body.

“Go on after her,” Risa said, “I think I’ll be fine with Riku’s choice, He is kinda cute anyway.”

“Floozy,” Riku thought to Risa.

“I am not,” Risa said aloud.

Kyte gave her a funny look.

“I have to get going,” Risa laughed as she left, “Good luck with Kanna.”

Kyte grabbed his book bag and the sack lunch that Kanna made for him and left for the continuation of the spring fair outside the docks. It was quiet without having the girls around and Kyte walked slowly to the maglev station. Lost in his thoughts, he was trying to figure how he would approach Kanna. There’s a lot he needs to talk about and so many ways to do it.

He continued walking, lost in thought, into the maglev station unaware of the impending doom that he approached. In the planters a small figure watched him walk closer as it grasped the preserved snowball. Quietly it waited as he came up and passed by. Then with Kyte's back to her, Abrielle threw the snowball. Time seemed to slow down as the snowball whisked quietly through the air at the unsuspecting and highly distracted Kyte. Abrielle waited for him to dodge the snowball like he had done before, but to Abrielle’s surprise he never moved out of the way and the snowball crushed upon the back of Kyte’s head. With a thud Kyte landed on his hands.

“Ha!” Abrielle yelled, “I got you Kyte.”

Looking back at her Kyte’s heart lightened, “Yes you did. How did you get to be so sneaky?”

“The special unit guys taught me,” she laughed.

Kyte thoughts went back to the day that they were saved from the wolves, “They taught you well,” he laughed.

“Mmhmm,” She said with her fists on her hips.

“Well I need to get going,” Kyte said, “So I’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” Abrielle replied and ran off into the dorm building.

With his attitude lightened, Kyte strolled of towards the boarding train and decided not to worry about it right now. After all he still had a test he needed to concentrate for.

 

 

Second Session

 

 

 

 

 

Falcon’s Prey

 

 

 

“I’m needed at the orbital tower training facility?” Steven Cadwell asked.

“Yes, the committee is relocating you there,” Natascha Anselm replied.

“But why?”

“They didn’t tell me,” Natascha said leaning back in her chair, “I guess this old scientist has outlived her days of usefulness.”

“Something must be going on.”

“Undoubtedly, but what? You have been scheduled to head up with the students so you had better get packing.”

Steven nodded and left the room. Natascha sat there for a moment then turned around in her chair to look outside.

“Are they back?” she asked herself.

 

 

 

All the students were excited to be going up into space, not to mention they had a chance to release some pent up energy from the three hour plane ride. They were at the Jacob Elevator, the orbital elevator that had been built in the past century. Most of the students looked up at one point or another, and followed the elevator as it stretched higher and higher till it was out of sight.

The students started boarding the train. The Aces and Demios were sat close to each other which would allow them to talk during the five hour ride into space. Kyte sat by Kanna holding her hand while Riku and Delven sat together on the other side of the aisle. The Demios meanwhile were sat in the row in front of the Aces in the aisle seats. They were sat in the third level of the enormous maglev train, the lower level being able to seat six across and the bottom level seating eight across.

They were talking to each other discussing what was going to happen next when an unexpected face showed up. Dr. Cadwell had come it and sat next to Kyren.

“Dr. Cadwell,” Kyren asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Well my young lady,” He answered, “I was told to come to the training facility with you guys.”

“Are you going to be teaching there too?” Riku asked, “We already have been thought your class.”

“I’m not sure really,” Dr. Cadwell replied, “I have many talents but I wasn’t told which of them I was needed for.”

“He is probably coming along to watch us children,” Zephyr joked.

They all laughed as an announcement was made.

The train was ready to go and waited for everyone to be strapped in. A few moments later the train started to move. The landscape passed by with increasing speed, and then the train began to angle upwards till they were vertical against the elevators shaft. The view was surreal as the ground fell away behind them and slowly the blue sky got dimmer to the black emptiness of space as they neared the station. The train started slowing and a head they could see a massive structure.

“Welcome to Central Station,” a voice said on the intercom.

The students unloaded from the train glad to be able to walk around only to find out that they had to head towards the dock to fly out to the training facility, but thankfully the flight was only ten minutes.

 

 

 

At the Training facility a girl was waiting and clearly annoyed. She was on one of the outer decks in the central level. A ship was just docked outside the windows. Her fire red hair matched her emotion which only flared up more when she saw who she was waiting for. A young man, impressive in his stature, was running towards her carrying some flowers in one hand.

“Anton,” The girl said furiously, her Russian accent was heavy, “Where have you been.”

“Sorry Vera…,” Anton replied, his accent just as heavy.

“That is Miss Vera to you.”

“Miss Vera,” he said holding out the flowers, “I bought you some roses.”

“I asked you, just this one time, not to be late.”

“Vera,” Anton said but then getting a stern glare from her, “Miss Vera, I am only two minutes late. Have pity on a man that wishes to give a girl a rose.”

“No,” Vera retorted, “That was your last chance. Any man would be better than you.”

And Vera turned around to see some of the new students arriving. One of which was an average looking American who was walking with a Japanese girl and another American hanging off their shoulders.

“I bet I can get that American over there on the far side to be a good boyfriend to me,” Vera said.

“If that is how you are going to be,” Anton retorted, “I bet I can get the Japanese girl to be my girlfriend before you get the American.”

“With how late you are all the time that is not likely.”

They sternly looked at each other and walked away in opposite directions.

 

 

 

Later that night Vera was in one of the facilities computer labs searching the database. Going from image to image she was trying to find out who she was after before beginning the hunt.

“We do not have any idea who he is,” said a youthful Gemini of hers.

“Yes, and you are wasting our time searching through these pictures,” said another, more refined sounding, Gemini she had.

“Would you two shut up,” Vera said, “I did not mean for it to go this far.”

“Then just tell him,” said the youthful Gemini.

“Alina is right,” said the refined Gemini, “Stop this before it gets out of hand.”

“I can not do that,” Vera said, “They would never drop it if I did.”

“Vera,” Alina pleaded, “Please listen to me and Marina we do not mean ill.”

“Here he is,” Vera said finding the picture of the American boy.

She opened the file and began reading through it, but the more she read the lower her hopes got.

“He is the number one gunner in the ranking,” Alina laughed.

“See, it was not meant to be,” Marina continued to plead.

“I will not stop sisters,” Vera said, “He is American after all, how hard could he be to get.”

Out in the hall Anton over heard Vera’s conversation and seemed pleased at what he heard.

“What do you think brother?” Asked his Gemini.

“I think I will play along,” Anton replied.

“But Alina and Marina are right,” his Gemini brother worried, “Nothing good will come of this.”

“Worry not, Artur, my brother,” Anton reassured, “We may be late to many things, but we are not stupid.”

“Oh, I see,” Artur laughed, “Very nice my brother, very nice.”

 

 

 

The Russian couple weren’t the only ones up and about at the late hour of the night. Dr. Cadwell just entered the Head Masters office. The dark room was only illuminated by the stars. In the darkness the squeak of the Head Masters chair permeated the room. Dr. Cadwell coughed to get the Head Masters attention.

“Oh, my apologize,” the Head Master said, “Did you bring them?”

“Yes, both Esperon and Umberon were transported here without detection,” Dr. Cadwell said.

“Good, we might be needing them soon,” the Head Master said.

“They’re here!” Dr. Cadwell exclaimed.

“Yes, about two weeks ago one of their gate craft uncloaked and five Sol ships came through and hid in the planetoid Pluto’s shadow.”

“So they’re coming,” Dr. Cadwell said in disbelief, “It looks as if time was against us after all.”

“Now, now, we have Esperon and Umberon.”

“The hope was to have the Jovian Long Range Cannon Array ready before they could get here.”

“Though those PPCs work better at long range, they can still hit a target point blank with decent damage and the Sol shouldn’t be there for another five to six months,” the Headmaster said, “That’s plenty of time for them to finish the cannons.”

“Otis, you don’t understand,” Dr. Cadwell explained, “If they detected the Array when they gated out, they will launch a preemptive strike that will get there two to three months in advance.”

“Well I’ll give a notice to the board about this matter,” Otis Helios replied, “But that’s the most I can do at the moment.”

“Personally I don’t trust them. Lives are going to be lost because of those damn politicians. I just know it.”

 

 

 

The next day Vera put her plan into action. She began her search around the facility but finding nothing most of the day. Her sisters began to complain and pleaded for her to stop this foolish game, but finally she saw him exit the dining hall around dinner time that evening. She walked up along side him fearless and determined.

“Hello there,” Vera said.

“Hello,” Kyte replied plainly.

“I am Vera Sokolov,” she said.

“Kyte Strife,” Kyte said.

“I know this,” Vera replied, “You are the number one gunner, very famous you are, did you think that someone would not recognize you.”

“I hoped.”

“Let us talk. I have many questions for you.”

They sat down in one of the lounges for a little while and Kyte answered her questions. She seemed very engaged to learn about him and Kyte began to get annoyed. He had tried to change the conversation once or twice but Vera kept changing the conversation back to questioning him. Finally Kyte said that he had to go but Vera followed him back to his room.

“I’m going to sleep now,” Kyte said opening his door, “So if you could go now.”

Kyte entered his room but Vera persistently followed him in and became very controlling.

“You seem lonely though,” Vera said starting to unbutton her shirt.

“I won’t ask again,” Kyte said sternly.

But Vera persisted and caught Kyte off balance, pushing him onto his bed. Kyte began to get up but she pushed him back down. Kyte was surprised at her strength, but wouldn’t let her have her way and he grabbed her hips to lift her off. There was a gasp at the door and Kyte looked over to see Kanna, her eyes tearing up.

“Kanna,” Kyte said throwing Vera off him but Kanna ran off down the hall, “Wait, Kanna.”

By the time Kyte got to the hall Kanna was nowhere in sight. He looked back at Vera with a quiet anger.

“I need to apologize,” Vera said, “I knew not that you two were… involved.”

“Saying that now doesn’t help the situation,” Kyte replied.

“Yes, I know. I should have listen to my sisters,” Vera said, “I will try to fix this and I apologize again,” and she left the room saddened by what she had done.

 

 

 

Kanna was running through the facility, tears filling her eyes, when she ran into a very large guy. Kanna fell down from the impact of the rock hard body, and she regained her composure and looked up at the muscular build he had.

“My apologizes little one,” the guy said with a heavy accent and helped Kanna up.

“No it was my fault,” Kanna replied, “I should’ve been more careful of where I was running.”

“You seem distressed,” the guy said, “Come, let us sit and you can tell Anton your troubles.”

 

 

 

The next morning Vera went in search for Anton, being badgered the entire time by her sisters, but Anton could not be found. She was about to give up when she saw Kanna walking down one of the passageways.

“Kanna,” she called out as she ran down the hall to her, “Kanna, we need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about,” Kanna replied glaring at her.

“Please listen,” Vera pleaded.

“You have nothing I want to hear,” Kanna retorted and continued walking down the hall.

“Kanna, please,” Vera said, “Don’t get involved with Anton.”

Kanna stopped for a second, turning around to say, “Anton is a kind man. More than Kyte obviously was,” and she continued walking down the hall.

“Oh boy,” Alina said, “Now we are in for it.”

Vera fell to her kneels watching Kanna walk away.

“Indeed,” Marina agreed, “Now that the gears are in motion there is no stopping them.”

Vera punched the ground in anger.

“We need to find Anton,” she said.

 

 

 

Kanna got to Mihara’s room and knocked on the door and she was let inside where Kyte and Risa were waiting.

“Kyte,” Kanna said as she gave him a hug.

“Okay,” Risa said, “I need a little more explaining on what’s going on.”

“I talked to a guy named Anton,” Kanna started, “Apparently Vera is his girlfriend and they have been having a rough time with their relationship, so Vera had bet that she could get Kyte as a boyfriend to make him jealous but Anton replied by saying that he could get me as his girlfriend first. After I saw Kyte and Vera together last night, and had run off, I ran into Anton. He explained to me the situation and his plan to set things right but to teach Vera a lesson as well.”

“Interesting,” Risa said, “So what does he want us to do.”

“To play coy till she gives up,” Kanna said, “But I think she has already done that.”

“So, what now?” Kyte asked.

“Wait till she talks to Anton,” Kanna answered.

 

 

 

Vera left the hall and headed to Anton’s room. There she sat and waited for him, but the  long hours grew longer and soon the stress of the day put her to sleep. There she dreamed of the times she had with him, a bliss dream to calmed her mind.

Anton eventually came back to his room for the evening and saw the dreamful Vera sleeping at his door. He picked her up and carrying her with one arm brought her into his room, laying her in his bed. Then he too, laying in the bed beside her, fell asleep but dreamt of times to come that he would have with her, a bliss dream of hope for the future.

 

 

 

Jack’s Lantern

 

 

 

All Hollows Eve had come about again and just like the training facility on earth, there were festivities all over the station. Tents and stands were erected all over the upper and lower observation decks and games could be found all over the place. Food from all over the world could be found and the delicacies were unmatched.

The costumes that the students wore came on a variety stretching from fantasy to sci-fi, from games, movies and plays, and from the imaginations of the creative. The Aces had pulled out their old costumes and walked around like the futuristic soldiers they pretended to be. The Demios as well had brought out their old costumes but got a couple new accessories too. Zephyr got a sinister looking staff and a book with a sling that he slung over his shoulder while Kyren got a whip and some luminescent contacts.

But by far the favorite of the festival was Vera and Anton with Vera dressed as a ringmaster and Anton as the strongman. They got an area of their own to perform in and had placed many weights around it. Vera was standing on Anton’s shoulder announcing to the crowd.

“Come one, come all to see the strongest man of all time,” Vera called out to gather the crowd, “Come. See Anton Volkov, the strongman, lift hundreds of pounds with ease.”

As Vera was calling out to the get an audience, Anton picked up and started to curl a 100 pound dumbbell, and the crowd started to gather around. Then on top of that he raised his other hand and Vera stepped up on it and he raised her into the air. Vera flipped a small switch that was in her hand and a spotlight turned on shining straight at her. At that the crowd grew immensely and Anton lowered Vera to start the act.

“First Anton will dead lift this 250 pound Olympic bar,” Vera announced.

Anton squatted down and grasped the bar. Straightening his back, he lifted the bar to about mid – thigh without effort. The crowd cheered but Vera held up her hand to quiet them.

“Now from there he will clean the bar to his chest,” Vera announced.

And at that, Anton lifted the weight effortlessly to his chest. The crowd cheered again and Vera waited for them to quiet down.

“And finally, Anton the strongman will lift the bar above his head,” Vera announce.

Anton bent his knees a little and put them straight to get a little force to push the bar above his head and then rested it on the ground. The crowd went wild at the feat but one was unimpressed. A warlock stepped out into the area, a succubus following just behind. Vera recognized the warlock. He was hanging off of Kyte and Kanna when she first saw them.

“Your physical feats are impressive strongman, but they are nothing compared to the ones of the mind,” the warlock said.

“Ha, a little one like you would need a mind because it’s obvious that you have no muscle,” Anton laughed.

“Well let me introduce my assistant,” the warlock replied.

The succubus walked in front of warlock and stared into his eyes while mumbling some words. She backed away and the warlock’s eyes went dim.

“Grab the bar,” said the succubus.

The warlock mindlessly walked over to it and squatted down, he grasp the bar unaware of his surroundings.

“Lift.”

The warlock pulled up and the bar, all of his muscles straining, but the bar came above his head.

“Drop it.”

And the warlock dropped the bar in front of him as the crowd cheered. The succubus snapped and the warlock became aware again and began shaking from the stress his body under went.

“You were saying, strongman?” the warlock asked.

Vera walked forward and knelt to the bar. She grasped onto it and straightened her back to lift. She took in a great breath and heaved the bar up above her head, and dropped it back to the floor. The crowd cheered as the two opposing forces stood there looking at each other.

“Point proven,” the warlock said giving a bow and leaving the area.

 

 

 

Fun and games were all about but the Head Master had business to attend to. In his office he was reading a report and a change of orders for one of the men under his command. He looked disappointed, having hoped that the officer would be staying longer. Then Dr. Cadwell entered the room.

“Ah, just the man I wanted to see,” Otis said.

“You got the news I take it,” said Dr. Cadwell.

“Yes I did,” replied Otis, “I was hoping you would stay a little longer.”

“With the Sol moving so fast we don’t have any time to lose.”

“Hmm? The Sol are moving quicker than normal?” Otis asked.

“Did you not read the report?” Dr. Cadwell asked angrily.

“Well I read bits and pieces,” Otis replied, “The Sol destroyed the Jovian Array just as you predicted.”

Steven sighed, “They did it with their main fleet, not with a preemptive strike force.”

“Oh, so they learned how to cross normal space a lot faster.”

“Yes, which means they’ll reach Mars in about two months.”

“That’s handy, we could invite them to our Christmas party,” Otis said jokingly.

“Laugh it up old man, you’re not the one on the frontlines any more,” retorted the good doctor, “Anyways, I’m heading of to the communication satellite Hermes.”

“Alright then,” Otis said, “Godspeed.”

 

 

 

Frozen Night

 

 

 

In space the seasons never change, only the change of day and night gives any relevance to the passing days. The blistering sun which provides light and allows plants to live giving the planet below life and the freezing emptiness of night which provides a haven from the unrelenting heat of the sun, these are the only to elements that the space training facility experienced. But now the threat of the Sol stirred the ranking officials that knew about their coming.

The entire station was decorated like it was during all Hallows Eve but more like the frozen season of winter. The students were celebrating the festive season oblivious to the coming dangers.

The Aces and Demios were having fun walking around, talking, and occasionally having some of the food from the vendors.

“So, did you hear that Dr. Cadwell hasn’t been on the station for two months,” Riku mentioned.

“The entire faculty has been saying that he was still here,” Kyren replied, “Why would they be covering that information up?”

“Sounds like trouble,” Zephyr said.

“Do you think the Sol are back?” Riku asked.

“To think is to have uncertainty, and to have uncertainty will lose any war against the Sol,” Zephyr said, “The higher ups know something, they are certain, and are putting all of the pawns in place before telling us that we are in danger.”

“You are very pessimistic warlock,” said a voice.

The group looked of to the side and saw Anton approaching with Vera sitting on an arm that crossed his chest.

“Ah, ringmaster, what is you idea on the situation,” Zephyr asked.

“I have no ideas,” Vera said hoping off Anton’s arm, “I have proof.”

Vera held out a piece of paper that Zephyr quickly grabbed. As he read a fierce grimace grew on his face.

“What is it?” Kyte asked.

“The Martian forces have readied their forces for combat,” Zephyr said, “They will enter combat in two hours.”

“What?” Kanna said shocked, “We should tell everyone.”

“There is no need,” Kyte replied, “In two hours, the world will know.”

 

 

 

The time after that passed very slowly for the group. They watched all of the other students while they walked around ignorant of what was about to happen. Every now and then they’ll see one of the instructors look at their watch then look out the window. The tension grew with them as they heard rumors of the telescopes on the observation deck being placed off limits.  The time of war was growing close.

There was an announcement for an emergency meeting of all students and faculty in the projection room and slowly the crowds disappeared as the students funneled through the doorways leading to the projection room.

The projection room had a domed ceiling and tiered seats with a giant plasma projector in the middle of the room. The students filled the seats randomly but eventually every seat was filled. The room went quiet when the lights dimmed.

A pillar of light came from the projector forming into the shape of the Head Master.

“Thank you for coming so quickly, especially during your festival,” said Head Master Otis, “You all, whether completed or still completing your training, have come to a crucial point in history.”

The Head Master’s image broke into many pieces about the room and formed into the shapes of ships and craft similar to those that they pilot.

“This is our Martian force staring at the faces of our enemies,” Otis continued, “The Sol, the five larger ships on the far side, has come forcefully charging through the Jovian Defense Array and has arrived at Mars. Though they have not yet fired on our manned forces, the Martian forces are not to let them to travel any further. I have called you all here to watch the battle. Whether they win or lose, observe how they fight so that you may not make the same mistakes when it comes to your time to fight the Sol.”

And like that the Martian forces went into action. They closed in on the Sol ships and began to fire. The Sol ships didn’t respond at first taking all the hits that the Martian forces dealt out. This lasted for fifteen minutes and slowly the dreadful realization came over all those that were fighting and watching. The Sol craft had been sitting there not firing a shot but upon looking at the hulls of their ships the grim realization that they weren’t taking any damage set in. The Martian forces switched from energy to solid weaponry, launching a barrage of missiles at the Sol craft. Only then did the Sol respond at all, only employing a point defense system, launching their own missiles to counteract the missile attack forced on them. After the quick skirmish of missiles the Martian forces continued a hopeless offensive with energy weapons again. Then, suddenly, one of the Sol ships released a single round barrage of fire. Though the attack hit friend and foe, the Sol ships emerged unscathed. With a third of the Martian forces annihilated in a single attack, all the ships were called to retreat but the Sol gave no mercy. As the Martian forces retreated all of the Sol ships laid out a barrage of fire that over took and enveloped the ships. The scene was remarkable and terrifying but the Sol didn’t stop there. They continued the barrage planet side, and as the camera changed the view towards the Martian surface and the explosions that could be seen on it.

After the Sol halted the barrage on the planet the camera turned its view towards the Sol ships. Then six of the Sol wormhole creation ships uncloaked and formed up facing each other, encasing a portion of space. The students watched on in awe as they got to see the new Sol technology at work. Two of the craft turned on their systems making a very short wormhole between them. Then two of the others did the same and a white field grew from the center point between the ships. Finally the last two turned their systems on and the field grew into a sphere, but the sphere didn’t stop growing at the ships edge like the field did, it expanded further and grabbed onto the wormhole creation ships and slowing pulled them into the space beyond its white walls. Then a black hole pierced the side of the white sphere from the inside and it expanded as a gigantic ship forced its way into normal space, and for the first time the students saw real time footage of a Sol capitol ship. Otis himself looked on in awe and fear at the same time. The Sol were back, with new technology, and the Human race had nothing to compare to it.

On the bridge of the capitol ship of the Sol the Sol general sat in his chair laughing. They were in space suits, horns and spines could be seen piecing it in multitudes of places. A female walked up to the general and handed him a video display with scrolling text on it.

“This is better than we could have predicted,” the general said in the Sol tongue.

“Indeed, their weaponry has become inferior compared to our advancements in shield technology,” the female Sol replied.

“And what’s this?” the general asked after reading some of the new text on the video display, “None of their craft contain any form of the Nesu’ray.”

“What?” the female said shockingly, “Certainly they know that they couldn’t possibly control their craft well enough to face us without it.”

“Yes, it’s a pity that we aren’t ordered to wipe them out completely.”

“I would advise to advert your mind from doing such an act till we complete our primary objective.”

The general laughed, “Helm, full speed ahead.”

“Full speed ahead,” said the Sol from the center most of the five consoles that sat in front of the bridge.

The capitol ship began to move and the five other ships followed close behind. They moved quickly and ominously out of the range of the Martian satellites view.

 

 

 

Back at the training facility the students had began to file out of the projection room. Though the student had gain a lot of insight on how the Sol will fight this time round, the fact that they had little chance to win extinguished all their hopes and that night the freezing emptiness of space seemed to permeate the walls and very bodies of the students for it was only a short time before they would have to face the Sol.

 

 

 

Fabric of Life

 

 

 

The alarm was sounded and the students scurried about getting suited and to their craft. The Sol had arrived from the shadow of the moon destroying the Lunar forces in the process. All that stood between them and the earth was an army of children trained to fight for all humanity.

The station started launching the craft out which formed up for engagement. The Sol ships now loomed in orbit of earth but its cannons were turn to the growing opposition. There was no one out of the trainees that wasn’t in fear of the up coming battle.

 

 

 

On the bridge of the Sol capitol ship the female Sol had brought the general another video display. He glanced at the text on the display and laid it to the side.

“General, they are only children,” said the female.

“And they choose to fight,” the general retorted.

“The majority are Omnaron and Unron,” the female explained, “They are no different from us.”

The general sat uneasily at the comment and thought for a moment.

“Fine,” he said, “Communications, new orders, destroy half of the force and incapacitate the others.”

“General!” The female retorted.

“Captain.” The general said sternly.

“Yes sir,” she said backing down.

The Sol ships turned their bows towards the gathering strike forces and prepared to fight.

 

 

 

The students had got into their formations and were as ready as they could be to fight. There was a brief silence after the craft checked in before the Head Master talked.

“All of you out there,” he began, “All of you courageous fighters, are about to face what can only be described as the bane of humanity. These beings came from a far to destroy us, not once, not twice, but three times now. As you saw the other week we are indeed out matched but I ask, was David not out matched when he faced Goliath, were the men behind the lines of D-Day in world war two not out matched and out gunned, were the space colonies not out matched when they fought for their independence. We are going to survive but it starts with you, you are the men and women that will provide a future for humanity, you will conquer them, just believe in your training and don’t give up. Good luck and Godspeed.”

The Head Master’s communication line disconnected and orders began being issued over the communication line.

The students went into action. The artillery craft began firing as the fighter craft advanced toward the Sol ships. The Sol ships dispersed to make room in between each other from the oncoming fire. The fighters engaged the Sol ships but one by one the Sol ships fired single shots, witling away at the fighters and some of the artillery.

Otis watched the fight from his office, a screen of Natascha was up as well.

“They aren’t fighting like they did on mars,” Steven said.

“Yes, the attacks are more focused on lessening our attack than destroying it,” Natascha added.

“What are they trying to do?” Otis asked.

“I’m not sure,” Steven said, “I maybe the most knowledgeable on Sol tactics but this is down right dumbfounding.”

“Those poor kids,” Natascha said.

 

 

 

The moral of the students was quickly dropping. The order for the fighters to retreat was issue and orders for the artillery to make an advancing attack to cover for the fighters. The Sol craft continued to pick off some of the fighters then changed their targets to the advancing artillery craft. An order for the artillery craft came through as the Sol retargeted for them.

“Artillery craft,” the communications officer said, “you have done enough, come back to base.”

“Roger that,” Kyte said, “heading back…”

The communications were suddenly cut as Kyte and Kanna’s craft got hit by the Sol cannon fire. The craft wasn’t destroyed though and the ejection pod could be seen readying to launch, but a failure occurred and the pods booster burned on the back of the craft igniting the fuel tanks and destroying most of what was left of the craft.

The other Aces and the Demios saw this but had issues of their own to deal with. The Sol ships picked off a couple more craft then stopped firing their cannons and fired an EM pulse neutralizing the remainder of the craft. The fight had ended similar to the fight above Mars.

 

 

 

Several hours later Kyte awoke in the cockpit of the craft him and Kanna piloted. He tapped in his console with his aching limbs. The video display turned on showing the surroundings on the canopy. With the light produced from the canopy he looked forward at Kanna.

“Kanna,” Kyte groaned, “Kanna.”

“Ugh,” Kanna moaned, “What happened?”

Kyte sighed in relief that she was okay, “We survived.”

Kyte looked out the canopy display, in the distance the Sol ships were tiny specks upon the blue earth and the moon just above them. Calm and serene their ship floated in space and soon the earth hid the sun and the stars shown brightly, but the chill of space started to creep into the cockpit.

Kanna and Kyte took out some of the foil blankets in the emergency case that was stored on bored, and in their seats covered themselves to try to fight the nipping cold. Out side the craft though the Sol were much closer than they thought, a cloaked craft was watching them.

“This is Jorino,” the Sol said, “Can you hear me Onari.”

“Yes, I can hear you,” replied the Captain, “Can you give me a report on their status?”

“The cockpit temperature has dropped to almost freezing,” Jorino replied, “no signs of your theory are present at the moment.”

“Pity,” Onari said, “I was hoping we would fine one in the group.”

“What now?” Jorino asked.

“Continue to watch them a little longer before towing them back.”

“So, you want these two?”

“Yes.”

Kanna and Kyte were beginning to shiver in their seats. Kanna stared at her console, thoughts of if they would survive began to pass through her mind and Kitsune’s antics couldn’t get her mind off it, then she stood up and moved around to Kyte’s seat. He looked up at her as she laid her blanket on top of his and slid onto the seat under the blanket with him. Kyte put his arms around Kanna, holding her tight to his body. Kanna shifted over a little so she could look up at Kyte and Kyte looked back at her, and there they gently kissed each other.

“Onari,” Jorino said, “you were right after all, do you want me to bring them in now.”

“Yes,” Onari replied, “If they are acting as I theorized then we need to get them back here as soon as possible.”

Jorino began to move his craft in closer when he detected several ships approaching. He backed off for a second to see these craft. As the other craft got closer he could distinguish four fighter craft and a tow craft.

“Onari,” Jorino reported, “they have company.”

“Can you destroy them?”

“Not likely.”

“Dammit,” Onari said, “Come back to the ship then. There is no more you can do.”

Jorino left as quietly as he came and the tow ship with its escorts closed in on the broken craft.

“This is tow craft SL-801, is anyone alive in there?” the pilot of the tow craft asked.

A soft crackle and a quiet shivering voice said, “Yes, we’re here.”

“Great to hear from you Kyte,” the tow craft pilot said, “Put on your helmets and leave your craft. We’ll pick you up but I’m afraid that your ship is toast.”

“R-roger that,” Kyte said shivering.

 

 

 

 Third Session

 

“They may be similar to us in that aspect, but because of who they are they must be put down.” General Gelkora of the Sol 3^rd Fleet – 2029

 

 

 

Hiding in Plain Sight

 

 

 

Riku and Delven and the Demios were walking through the living sector of the base and stopping in front of the doors to a room. Without knocking the burst into the room and cheered, no one in immediate sight, but Kyte then sat up in the bed shirtless and the blanket covering his lower body with Kanna’s figure right next to him.

“Knocking first would have been nice,” Kyte said.

And Kanna woke and sat up in the bed as well covering her chest with the blanket.

“You know your suppose to be married first before you engage in activities like that.” Delven said jokingly.

Kyte got out of bed revealing that he had pants on, Kanna looking off to the side blushing from the embarrassment.

“I thank you for the caring surprise,” Kyte said, “but if you don’t mind leaving for a moment so Kanna doesn’t have to show her bra off, I would be a bit more grateful.”

Zephyr chuckled as they left the room and Kyte and Kanna got dressed then joined the others in the hall.

“So, how are you all?” Kyte asked.

“We’re fine but you scared the hell out of us,” Delven replied.

“Yeah, the escape pod malfunction followed by your craft erupting into flames had us going,” Zephyr added, “For a second I thought I was the new number one gunner.”

Kyren elbowed Zephyr in the side then said, “We’re glad you made it.”

“So where are we?” Kanna asked.

“A secret base on the moon,” Riku answered, “Its code named Sweet Luna.”

“Okay, enough standing here,” Zephyr said, “Let’s grab some food and continue talking while we eat.”

And so they left the hall and headed toward the cafeteria to eat. The halls in the living sector were small, only fitting two abreast but once they got to the main hall they had some more room to walk. The main hall was the primary connection to all of the other sectors in the base and was made to accommodate a larger number of people moving through the area. The cafeteria was right next to the living sector and so was a short walk.

 

 

 

On the Sol capitol ship the General sat in his chair as usual looking at the plasma display of earth, its quiet grandeur staring back and taunting him. The prize of the Sol is so close yet he is held back from grabbing it.

Then the young Captain Onari and the scrupulous Lieutenant Jorino entered the bridge and saluted to General Gelkora. The General stood and saluted them and sat back down.

“What is your report Captain?” the General asked.

“Data received on subjects 57 and 58 are conclusive to the theory,” the Captain replied handing the General a video display, “but more data should be retrieved from those specific subjects.”

“If these subjects are conclusive to your theory then why did they still lose?” the General retorted.

“Based on the theory, there would need to have been a good number more of these subjects to be positive on the theory,” the Captain said.

“And how many exactly were positive on the bases of the theory?”

“Fifty-four out of the two hundred thirty displayed positive attributes to the theory,” the Captain replied, “Only two of which were conclusive.”

“So let me get this straight,” the General said, “Out of all the battles we have fought here, roughly only twenty percent actually display positive attribute and only two out of those are conclusive?”

“Yes sir.”

“I know we are here to test this ‘theory’ but to put it blatantly we are wasting our time.”

“But sir,” the Captain said, “Based on the research I have done here, we need to hold off a little longer to see if the race hasn’t just become deafened by war like what is suggested in the theory.”

“Lieutenant, what do you think,” the General asked.

“I hate these Hume just as much as you,” the Lieutenant replied, “And though it is easy to see that we can win right now, if we can’t solve this issue the Sol race will be marred for the rest of time from losing to these inferior beings twice.”

The General thought about the issue for a moment before coming to a solution.

“Alright then, we will attack them to collect some subjects to interrogate,” the General said, “Captain, you and your subordinates will be the invading force and Lieutenant, you will proved cover fire. We will attack in two cycles.”

The Captain and Lieutenant saluted and left. The General shifted in his chair uncomfortably.

“This is for the pride of the Sol but their defeat will be my only honor.”

 

 

 

The starscape changed since the last time Otis looked out his office window. The Sol ships now dominated the view. The training facility had become desolate since the battle because all of the surviving students were retrieved in the earths shadow and brought to the moon instead of being brought back to the facility. The students were going to have to fight again once the Sol began their final attack.

Then his plasma screen appeared on his desk and a familiar voice said, “You’re looking well.”

Otis turned around in his chair and saw Dr. Cadwell on the display.

“Well, well, looks like you have more than nine lives Steven,” Otis said looking at the patched up tactician.

“Actually, my count comes to this being my ninth,” Steven laughed.

“What’s the situation on your end?” Otis asked.

“Sweet Luna is housing the survivors of the lunar ambush and the students of the last battle.”

“Did any of our top students survive?”

“Yes actually, all of the Aces and the Demios siblings survived,” Steven replied.

“Kyte Strife and his partner survived?” Otis asked surprised, “That boy I tell you, he is something else.”

“Yes, they all are…” Steven said being interrupted.

Steven went of screen for a moment. Otis was a little confused for a moment and look out his window again for a moment and the sight he saw instilled a deep fear. The Sol fleet was moving three of its ships away from earth. They were headed for the moon.

Otis spun in his chair to face the screen and hollered at the screen, “Steven, three of the Sol ships are heading your way.”

Steven came back to the screen.

“Yes, I just got the intel on it,” Steven said, “We are scrambling our combatants as we…”

The connection was suddenly cut. Otis starred at the static till the screen automatically turned off.

“Good luck and Godspeed,” Otis said.

 

 

 

Back on the moon a small Sol attack force had started their attack on the surface of the moon. Sweet Luna was an underground bunker base but some of its communication lines were on the surface and was the first to be targeted. Inside the base students and soldiers were scrambling around and organizing the force they had as a second barrage hit and collapse areas of the base. Kyte and Kanna were sleeping when the attack came and were rushing out of the living sector. Before they were able to leave the living sector the second barrage hit and knock them to the floor and while getting up they heard a voice call out. They headed back into one of the halls of the living sector and found Anton desperately digging through the debris.

“Anton, what happened?” Kanna asked.

“Vera, she got buried,” Anton said.

“I’ll help. Kanna, go prep our craft. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Kyte said starting to dig.

Kanna nodded and ran off to get ready. At the far end of the main hall she found people changing in the hall and that the way ahead was blocked. A soldier walked up to her and handed her a flight suit.

“Get ready,” the soldier said, “We’ll be heading for the hangars via a secondary route once everyone is ready.”

Kanna nodded and began to undress. Once she was finished she was grouped in a squad of GPs and Gs and they headed for the hanger. The secondary passage was two floors below and they were filed in one by one because the passage could barely fit them one breast. Another barrage shook the ground as they hurried through the cramp passageway. Towards the end the passage spit in three directions with two side passages and a doorway to some stairs. Her group went through the doorway but she could hear the shuffling of feet down either side passage from other groups that were ahead of them. As they reached the main level an alarm was sounded notifying that there were intruders in the hangars. The group leader headed to a locker on the side of the passage and began to issue rifles to the group.

“Form up in four columns,” the group leader said, “The Sol have gained access to the hangar so we need the first out to provide cover fire for the others. Ready?”

The group let out a holler and the leader pressed the button to open the door.

 

 

 

The Sol attack force consisted of five bipedal mechanized weapons and an assortment of fighter craft. They made a pass on the base launching volleys of gun, cannon and missile fire on the base.

“Lieutenant Volron,” said the lead mecha, “I am beginning my assault on the hangars.”

“Good luck Onari,” said the Lieutenant.

The light gray lead mecha lead the other dark grey mecha into a crater on the northern side of base.

“Miro and Hinor, take the east hangar,” Onari said. “Yurik and Ganner, take the west hangar. I’ll take the central hangar.”

The mecha split up and with several deafening explosions destroyed the hangar doors. Their mecha being too large to enter the hangar the squad disembarked from their craft on foot into the hangars. Onari entered the central hangar armed with several weapons but wielding a sonic rifle and a shield. She looked around at the Human craft that littered the floor making it hard for her to walk around. Compared to her the craft looked like scale models and for the first time she noticed the extreme size difference between the Sol and the human races. Then her visor displayed a danger signal and marked the location. She lifted the sonic rifle to the doors on the right side as they opened.

 

 

 

The doors were only half way open when the people in the front of the group were hit by a sonic blast. Everyone got knocked back and those that got hit by the blast were unconscious.

“Step over them,” the group leader called out, “Get some cover fire out there.”

The rest of the group rushed out to lay down suppression fire but some froze in fear when they saw the sight of the single Sol that was there. Kanna had got out of the doorway and was heading towards the back of the hangar for her ship when another sonic blast detonated on the hangar. One of the craft got blasted at her, its wing tripping her as she rolled up it into the fuselage. There were only a few sounds of gun fire as Kanna got up and hopped of the wreckage and ran to her craft. She manually opened the cockpit and slid in as a third sonic blast silenced what gunfire was left. Quickly, Kanna started up all of the systems and the engine. As the display turned she saw the Sol turn its attention to her craft and raised its rifle. Kanna revved the handle bar and tapped the left foot control, and the craft jumped off the ground and barrel rolled into the air narrowly dodging the sonic blast. As the craft did its acrobatics to avoid the attack Kanna aimed the artillery and as soon as the craft steadied she fired. The concussive sound from the artillery filled the hangar. The hangar then went silent and the Sol lowered its bullet scared shield which had deflected the shot. The Sol then held up its hands dropping the shield and rifle in a gesture of surrender, but then pulled out a pistol that was holstered on its lower back and made a marksman shot into to artillery piece of Kanna's craft. The craft jolted from the bullets impact and when Kanna looked up she saw the Sol charging into the craft. The Sol grabbed the nose and port wing and pushed the craft into the wall, snapping off the starbored wing, and then pulled it down to the floor. Kanna tapped the foot controls to engage the thrusters but the impact had damaged them. The Sol was now attempting to pull off the canopy and when it couldn’t it pulled out a combat knife and pried the canopy off. Kanna reached back for her rifle but was scooped up by the Sol’s gigantic hand. The Sol’s grip was tight yet gentle as if it didn’t want her hurt. Kanna looked up into the face plate of its helmet and saw several blue screens appear and disappear, then carried her off towards the hangar door where its craft was. Once outside in the lunar atmosphere Kanna heard the Sol say something and as she looked around the lunar landscape and saw four other Sol mecha besides her captors. The Sol boarded its kneeling craft with Kanna still in hand and took off. The other Sol craft followed soon after.

 

 

 

Kyte left the medical sector after helping Anton dig Vera out of the debris. She would be okay but Kyte was worried about Kanna, he had heard the intrusion sirens come and go and was hurrying to the hangar to help. He got to the collapsed area of the main hall. A small passage had been dug out and the injured were being passed through to be taken to the medical sector. Kyte asked some of the soldiers around that were receiving the injured through the passage but none of them had seen Kanna, and then one of the injured that came through over heard Kyte’s worried questions.

“Young man,” the woman said, “I know of her.”

Kyte heard her and hurried to the woman’s side to hear her out.

“Kanna you said right?” she asked and Kyte nodded, “She was the only one to get to her craft but the Sol had disabled it and kidnapped her.”

The woman clenched her fist lightly in anger and said, “I wanted to help but I was too weak,” and the woman passed out and was hurried to the infirmary.

Kyte was in disbelief and didn’t know what to do, but then he felt a hand lay on his shoulder. Kyte looked up to see the crutch ridden Dr. Cadwell.

“Mr. Strife,” Dr. Cadwell said, “I don’t suppose that you would give up if the was a way to get her would you.”

“There’s a way?” Kyte asked.

“Yes, a craft designed around your abilities, a mecha based on the Sol’s technology.”

“The black craft,” Kyte replied.

“You remember,” Dr. Cadwell said.

“Yes.”

“Well, then we need to ferry you to the space training facility as soon as possible.”

 

 

 

The Getaway

 

 

 

Kanna was brought into a large room and set on a pedestal. Looking around she saw a larger display viewing earth, five control consoles towards the front, and in front of her a chair with an ominous looking Sol in it. Her captor saluted which the Sol in the chair returned. The two began talking which soon turned into a heated argument of words that Kanna couldn’t understand, and then a third Sol entered the room and the discussion. Once the talking stopped Kanna could feel the tension of the other two towards her captor, but the Sol in the chair said something and her captor saluted. She was picked up again and was brought through the ship to a room, but the room wasn’t a cell, instead it was a bedroom, she was guessing, of here captor.

She was set on the bed and the sol said, “Stay right there for a moment.”

The Sol’s voice was soft and caring, a voice of a female, and the Sol went to the far side of the room and behind a screen. The Sol hummed as she changed out her combat suit and came out from behind the screen. Kanna was surprised at how she looked, having expected something that the horns and spines of the suit would have dictated but it was not that way. The Sol look exactly like Humans.

“My name is Onari,” the Sol said sitting on the bed beside her.

Kanna took off her helmet and said, “I’m Kanna.”

“Good to meet you,” Onari said.

To say the least this was an awkward start to a conversation with an enemy but Kanna went along wit it.

“I know you have some questions,” Onari said, “So ask away.”

Kanna felt weird being treated so nice but this was a chance of a life time, the chance to learn who the Sol really were.

“Why did you kidnap me,” Kanna asked.

“You were a key subject in my theory on our defeats in the past,” Onari said, “You just happened to be the one I found in my attack.”

“So all I am is a test subject?” Kanna replied depressingly.

“No, not at all,” Onari said comfortingly, “You and I are so similar in fact we are almost the same race.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your people call them Gemini, we call them Omnaron and Unron.”

“You have a Gemini sister as well?” Kanna asked.

“No, I don’t,” Onari replied, “Most of our race has become Unron, like your partner, or is he your lover?”

Kanna looked away saddened.

“I’m sorry,” Onari said.

“No, it’s not that,” Kanna replied fiddling with a ring on her finger, “He must be worried about me.”

“Oh I see,” Onari said, then got up and went over to her dresser.

“Will I see him again?” Kanna asked.

“I cannot say for sure,” Onari said sitting on the bed again, something precious clasped in her hand, “But I know how you feel.”

Onari opened her hand revealing the item to Kanna. It was a ring with diamonds impressed into the metal.

“I left knowing very well that I might not make it back to him,” Onari said, “But I believe if there is something worth fighting for you will always achieve it. This is something that most of the Sol have forgotten, as is the same with you race. The Sol have fought so long to maintain our growing population that we lost what we were fighting for, just as your race has fought so many times to live that the battle has become more of an event than the fight for survival.”

“So what happens now?” Kanna asked.

Onari giggled, “What else, wait for your knight to save you.”

 

 

 

The training facility fell into the shadow of earth and a small craft sped towards it. Docking was difficult because of the limited number of personnel on the facility but was done with out fault. Kyte stepped of the craft with Dr. Cadwell hobbling right behind.

“Good to see that you have more lives than a cat Steven,” Otis said.

“As am I,” Dr. Cadwell replied, “Is every thing ready?”

“Yes, it’s too bad that Kamina couldn’t be here to pilot Esperon,” Otis said.

“That’s why Strife here needs Umberon.”

“Oh, so I see. She was one of the personnel that were taken,” Otis replied.

They walked through the empty hallways, there footsteps echoing in the halls. The facility was eerie void of the sounds of students, especially after knowing that some of those students died in the recent battle.

They reached the hangar and Kyte saw the dark machine again. Once it opposed him in training and now will side with him in combat.

“You have seen what it is capable of,” Otis said, “So go out there and show them that the Human race isn’t just going to lay over and die.”

“Godspeed to you Kyte,” Dr. Cadwell said.

Kyte nodded and stepped onto a cable that lifted him to the cockpit. He stepped in side and sat in the chair as the craft closed up. Otis and Steven left the hangar and the room was depressurized. The massive doors opened and Kyte launched and headed for the Sol capitol ship.

 

 

 

Kanna and Onari were still talking when a knock at the door interrupted them. Onari got up and answered the door.

“Meeshi, Onari,” said the female visitor.

“Miro, ray an,” Onari said and Miro entered the room, “So what are you up to?”

“Wen mesk saroo Hume?” Miro asked.

“I have a visitor and it is rude to speak a language she can understand,” Onari replied.

Miro looked around and saw Kanna on Onari’s bed.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Miro said, “You Hume are so small you’re easy to miss,” then turned her attention to Onari, “A Hume craft is heading this way and General Lorash wants everyone to be ready to fight it on the ship.”

“On the ship?” Onari asked.

“Yeah, it’s a craft designed like our Mirono,” Miro replied.

“Kanna, do you know anything about a bipedal weapon?” Onari asked.

“You mean like your craft,” Kanna said, “Sort of, there was a craft that Kyte and I went up against in one of our training sessions, a black craft that looked somewhat human.”

“That’s it,” Miro replied, “As well it has the mental signature of subject 78.”

“Kyte,” Onari said.

“Wait, is she subject 77?” Miro asked.

“Yes,” Onari replied.

“Oh how romantic,” Miro said with a twinkle in her eyes, “Hume are so passionate, I wish I were a Hume and had a valiant male come to my rescue.”

“But Onari said that her and her husband is passionate,” Kanna said.

Miro grabbed Onari and put her in a lose headlock, “Yeah, this one got lucky and found one of the good ones.”

Onari laughed pushing her head out of Miro’s arm, “Yes, and I’m glad that you stopped pestering him to marry you instead of me.”

Kanna laugh.

“Anyways, Miro, get all of the Hume supporters together,” Onari said, “We will abandon ship when we rescue Kyte.”

“Roger that,” Miro said laughing and enthusiastically, “I’ll get it done.”

And with a salute Miro left.

“Hume supporters?” Kanna asked.

“Yes, not all of us are for this war,” Onari replied.

And Onari got her master plan ready to execute.

 

 

 

Kyte approached the Sol fleet but came up to them with no resistance, in fact one of the bays on the capitol ship opened almost invitingly. Kyte wearily landed by the bay and peeked inside. His craft had been armed with a few additional weapons on top of the laser banks that it had. He entered the bay with his shield, formerly the Sol invader’s of Sweet Luna, in front. Slowly he moved along the wall, moving by the Sol craft cautiously, expecting an attack. He got to the far side and saw the door into the ship. Then bay doors close, the hangar pressurized, and the doors opened inviting Kyte further into the ship. He passed through the doorway which closed behind him and as it did several Sol stepped out from hiding.

“Drop you weapons, Hume,” said one of the Sol.

But then three of the Sol turned on the others and incapacitated them.

“Kyte,” one of the traitors said, “Stay in that hanger we’ll get everyone and be right back.”

Kyte was confused but followed their instructions, heading back into the bay when the doors where opened.

 

 

 

Chaos head erupted on the bridge with Sol soldiers calling in sightings of the Hume all over the ship. General Gelkora was getting irritated as the console men repeatedly tried to redirect the counter forces to the Hume invader.

Gelkora stood up and yelled, “Is everyone here incompetent. Pull up the cameras in the areas of the sightings to see if the Hume is there and get the counter forces to a place where they can deploy quickly. Find that Hume!”

Onari had gathered all of the Humans and the Hume supporters in the bay. They depressurized the bay and opened the bay to the emptiness of space. Onari gave the signal and there was a massive shockwave that cut the power to the entire ship, and one by one the Hume supporters activated their crafts and left the capitol ship. Most headed down to earth while Onari, her squad, Kyte and Kanna, and one of the craft that carried the Human captives went to Sweet Luna.

 

 

 

On the bridge the General was furious. Engineers all over the ship were trying to restore power but were being yelled at consistently by Gelkora. Once power was restored to the bridge it was bombarded with communication lines from the other ship asking what is happening. By the time General Gelkora got everything straightened out he was more furious than when power was lost. A total of fifty craft, the Hume captives, and seventy-nine of his crew were missing. On top of all that a message came from the Sol council gave him orders to hold his position till they have come to a decision about what to do with Hume race.

 

 

 

Operation: Last Dance

 

 

 

General Gelkora was furious about how Onari had deceived them and was pacing back and forth in front of his seat on the bridge. Lieutenant Volron watched in amusement as the display viewed the Sol traitors entering earth’s atmosphere.

“I always knew she had more Lun in her than Sol,” the Lieutenant said, “Her squad of hand pick Lun should had been a warning.”

The General stopped pacing for a moment and looked at the screen, “Our ancestors should have wiped them out but instead we let them live like we did with these Hume.”

“And so the mistake will be repeated,” the Lieutenant replied.

“No,” The General retorted, “I will not repeat the mistakes of the past, the time to wipe out the Lun has come and gone but the Hume sit in front of us unable to defend themselves. I will restore the pride of the Sol and be known for adverting another mistake, and I will kill that damn half bleed.”

“By all means General Gelkora,” the Lieutenant said, “Let me kill her for you.”

“I always knew I liked you Volron,” the General replied, “For the Sol.”

“For the Sol,” the Lieutenant said saluting and left.

“Console man, call all troops to battle stations,” the General yelled, “We end this here.”

 

 

 

At Sweet Luna the students and soldiers celebrated the small victory and worked to ready their crafts for the predicted fight to come. Onari had told them about the Sol council halting any offensive movements but warned that General Gelkora might not wait for approval to attack. The Sweet Luna craft were reequipped with some solid shell weaponry left over from the first war.

Dr. Cadwell was in the tactical room planning out how they would attack the Sol ships when a plasma screen appeared with Otis on it.

“It’s good to see again Otis,” Steven said, “I hope you bring good news.

“Afraid not,” Otis replied, “The Sol have begun bombarding the surface of the planet. We need you to send a counter attack now.”

“Damn, I was hoping for a little more time to reequip the crafts,” Steven said, “But we will send what we have ready.”

The workers in the hangars were told to get spacesuits on and the hangars were depressurized. Soldiers and students came out, boarding their crafts and waited for clearance to launch. A miniscule thirty craft were ready to launch and headed for the Sol ships at full speed with more coming out of the hangars by the minute.

Dr. Cadwell stopped Kyte and Kanna before they entered the hangar.

“Kyte, take Kanna to the space training facility in Umberon so that she can pilot Esperon,” Dr. Cadwell said.

“Why,” Kyte said, “We can stop them with the craft we have can’t we?”

“We need the extra fire power,” Dr. Cadwell said, “The capitol ships bridge and main target areas are deep within the ship, it was made to survive a worst case scenario. We need Esperon’s fire power and Kanna’s accuracy.”

“Okay, we’ll head there immediately then.”

And Kyte and Kanna left in Umberon to the space training facility.

 

 

 

The first of the attack force arrived at the Sol ships and began attacking the smaller ships as ordered by Dr. Cadwell. The first round of fire was devastating to the Sol ships, destroying a good deal of the vital areas on them. The five smaller ships ceased functions quickly and the attack force turned its attention towards the capitol ship.

“What the hell is going on!?” The General yelled.

“It seems they are using solid projectiles sir,” said a console man.

“Well drop the shields, return fire,” The General said and a plasma screen of the Lieutenant appeared, “Volron, go out there and show them the furry of the Sol.”

“With pleasure,” the Lieutenant said and the screen of him disappeared.

The shield on the capitol ship dropped and began returning fire when a hail of fire came from behind the ship. The capitol ship became marred from bow to stern within seconds but continued firing and returned fire into the darkness of space where the barrage cam from. Out of the darkness Onari and her squad entered the fight avoiding the counter attack.

“So you finally show yourself Onari,” Jorino Volron said and broke off from his attack squadron to face her.

The fight between Jorino and Onari was chaotic in the battle zone as they weaved in and out of the cross fire to attack each other. Onari’s mecha had more maneuverability but Jorino’s craft had more speed and Onari had difficulty keeping a lock on him because of the wide arcs he made between passes.

Then, in a faint static of noise over the intercom, a voice said, “All Human and Hume collaborators clear the capitol ship.”

And the battle above the ship turned into what seemed to the Sol as a retreat. Onari was having difficulty leaving the area because of Jorino and he was closing in for the kill. Onari turned her mecha away and throttled her thrusters to full but the mecha couldn’t out run the craft. Jorino had a lock on Onari’s mecha and his finger on the trigger when his cockpit grew bright and his craft disintegrated as his smile faded to anger in the light before he him self faded into the light. Jorino had been hit by a highly accurate artillery fire, and Onari looked to see where it came from and saw a white mecha with four large cannons in the far off distance.

“Sorry about that,” the faint voice said, “He is a bugger to hit.”

And Onari recognized the voice as Kanna’s then said, “You’re late.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Kanna replied, “Anyways, let’s finish this once and for all.”

A hail storm of artillery accurately fired at the capitol ship hitting deep within it. Several large explosions ripped the outside of the ship to pieces and the decrepit core of the ship was exposed.

On bored the General struggled to his feet. He looked forward and saw what remained of the console man. He looked around for some sense that he could continue but the bridge was damaged beyond what was believed possible, the doors leading out were sealed because beyond it had decompressed, and he was the last survivor on the ship.

“Volron,” he cried out but the plasma screen appeared with nothing but static on it.

There was another explosion and the General winced in pain. Reaching for his chest he found a piece of shrapnel sticking through his body and felt to his knees.

“For… the Sol,” he gasped and fell forwards.

His suit began to glow, becoming a red then a bright white and collapsed. His suit now looking like the console men’s that was slumped over the wreckage that were their consoles.

“Did that do it?” Kanna asked.

“Yes,” Onari said, “It is over.”

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

 

 

The Sol council was projected on a plasma display in earths United Nations building. The Sol and nations of earth have discussed a peace treaty for several weeks and was finally coming to an end.

“The Sol council has come to a final decision on you place in this galaxy,” the Sol councilman said, “You will be recognized as a neighboring nation and as such we will allow trade and moderate migration. As well we are giving you’re a plot of space on your side of the galaxy that we won’t disturb.”

“As representative of the United Nations we are glad that there could be a peaceful resolution between our people,” said the U.N. representative.

“Likewise, and we apologize again for our generals haphazard conduct,” replied the Sol councilman.

“It’s no problem, we cannot judge a race based on the actions of an individual,” the U.N. representative said.

“Wise is a race of many and corrupt are the actions of one with unquestionable power,” said the Sol council man, “We will speak again once trade routes have been established, good bye.”

“Till we speak again.”

The screen disappeared and the U.N. went on with its business.

 

 

 

Elsewhere on the blue planet there was a celebration at the training facility. It was bigger than any of the fairs or festivals that came before with every student that ever attended there as well as the Sol collaborators. Vera and Anton were putting on their ringmaster and strongman routine where Zephyr again tested the mind against the muscle except without Kyren’s assistance. Kyren herself had fallen in love with and was now dating Ganner, one of Onari’s squad men, and was one of the most unique couples there. Delven and Riku had become closer in their relationship and mid way through the fair Delven proposed to her, and Riku had gotten a little mad at him for proposing to her in such a public place but accepted it all the same. Kanna’s stomach had began to grow a little from her and Kyte’s child that was growing inside her, and they got congratulations every where they went. For Onari, she had decided to help the Human race and there expansion into space and had sent word for her husband to come out as well. Miro found herself a Hume and was trying the dating scene as far as Hume go. As for the rest of the Sol on earth, they had decided to stay and make earth their new home.

And though this will definitely not be that last conflict to ever happen in the galaxy, as far as it goes for these heroes they got to live happily ever after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We all work towards being the best at what we do, but its how we pursue it that makes us who we are.” Dr. Anselm – 2096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Amadeus Xavier Write