PSO :: In The Heat Of Battle [Part 6 (2) added 17/12/04]

[Tide]

paste this into the URL bar -
http://www.tidesinger.com/heatofbattle.htm
I realise there's a couple of typos, so don't eat me!

[Momonpso]

Wow! I loved it! Nice story...I hope you plan to continue it. :D :D :D

[shake__0]

Do you know the last episode/battle of Cowboy Bebop? It felt just as intense. I am glad that I could picture everything from the great and clear writing, please continue.

[GuardianKnuckles]

very good very good i really enjoyed that keep up the great work man

[supersonic703]

Really, really nice story you got here. This is worth continuing for along time.

[Tide]

Thanks for the comments guys. ^^;

Only trouble is I'm not sure were to take the story to develop it further. Do you have any suggestions?

Just continue the battle? Or should I continue in another place and introduce new characters?

[Momonpso]

I would move your story on to another place and add more characters. But not too many, just 1 or 2.

[Tenks reaction2]

That is some extreme detail. Great story are u ever going to add more or stick to the first great chapter?

[Tide]

Funny you should ask... I was having a few thoughts spinning through my head concerning that earlier.

I've decided to take momonpso's advice, and go with new characters. The previous entry was actually placed inside the VR Spaceship level (did you guess?), with 2 hunters. I'm thinking about going for a Ranger on Ranger battle. Nothing like a good gunfight - I used to be quite good at writing those. Remember the battle mode rule 6? Hide behind the walls to shoot your opponent? I think I'll go for something like that. I'm considering setting it the deserted streets of Pioneer 2 (in a kind of alternate reality). What with buildings and stuff, it could be interesting. I'll just wait and see how I feel on that one.

At the moment I'm trying to think of some factor that might connect the little battle scenes I write. I can't wait to try Force against Force! Oh, the joy of techs! I have very specific theories about how techniques work, so I might write those in. And then for a finalé, maybe a free for all with them all thrown in together? *shrugs*
These are just random ideas. Chances are I'll end up doing something completely different.

[Tenks reaction2]

Ok, sounds good can't wait to see them. Ranger on Ranger that will be very interesting.

[Tide]

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Two
Back pressed firmly against the wall, the RAmar gritted his teeth as a volley of photon bullets struck the corner nearby. Sparks scratched across the alloyed surface, and he instinctively turned his face away to shield his eyes. Last thing he needed was to go blind.
Gloved hands firmly gripping his handgun, he checked the photon chamber. The light green glow still filled more than half of the clear tube mounted on top of the weapon. It was a good sign - with the way his enemy was firing, his - or her, for that matter. The RAmar wasn’t sure who or what he was up against - weapon, they’d be out of ammo soon.
He hoped.
He twisted his neck to look past the corner. Directly opposite him was a RAmarl. She wore her red hair long and free, with a beret perched precariously on top. Dressed suggestively in form fitting yellow and brown breeches, and a tank top to match, she could easily be one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Her eyes were green, and large enough for him to see the tiny flecks of brown even as far away as he was.
She was known to him only as Trig. Short for trigger-happy, she had said laughing. And as she stood with her back to the wall just as he was, she hefted her mechguns up beside her. They looked extremely large for her to handle with her small frame, but she managed them as well as he could have. Maybe better.
He shook his head. No time for such foolish thoughts, he reminded himself. She looked at him questioningly, but only shrugged. She jerked with surprise as another cascade of bullets struck the corner she was hiding behind.
Creeping closer to the corner, he risked a glance out. He immediately pulled his head back as another photon bullet struck the wall inches from his face. Grimacing, he pushed his hand around the corner, firing blindly. He knew he hadn’t hit home, but it would do.
Both he and Trig peered out, and their eyes settled firmly on the two androids. One was a RAcaseal, and she carried a rifle. Trig muttered something under her breath, and he new what it was. A rifle had fantastic range - an advantage that could be deadly here. In comparison, the range of Trig’s mechs might as well be non-existent.
He didn’t even see what the RAcast was carrying. There was a brief flash, and he pulled his head back again as another volley of photon bullets scratched across the metal.
“This is getting us nowhere.” he hissed.
“The RAcast was carrying a rifle too. I’d bet my life on it.” Trig called out. She had also ducked aside.
Thinking, he considered waiting for the androids to come to them. Better to outwait a stone, he decided. An android had no sense of impatience, or even of time.
Grimacing, he turned to Trig, “Any bright ideas?”
“A few.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
She smiled coyly, “We have something they don’t.”
“And what would that be?”
She raised her left arm, and tapped the small console mounted onto her wrist.
“We have techs.”
Of course! How could he have not realised?! Androids could not use techs!
“Any suggestions?” he meant for which one to use.
“Zonde. It’s range can match those rifles, and it’s an electric attack. Good against machines.”
He nodded agreement, leaning forward eagerly. He immediately regretted it as a photon bullet struck the wall again, and he quickly fell back, grunting. Damn those androids! It was all he could do to stop himself from jumping out and zapping them there and then!
“I’ll go first.” Trig grinned at him. She seemed to be enjoying this.
No sooner had she said it than she holstered her mechguns, and then lunged out from behind the wall, the navigational device attached to her wrist glowing yellow. Hearing the sound of it striking it’s target, he readied himself to jump out after her.
He suddenly froze as a photon bullet struck her in the shoulder, causing her to twist and land hard on the floor. Her face was a mask of pain, but she somehow managed to roll to him. He quickly knelt beside her.
“Are you alright?” he asked quickly.
Clutching one hand to her injured shoulder, she nodded, “I’ll be fine.”
Rubbing his chin, he asked, “Did you get them?”
“Only one.” she gasped, “I think it was the RAcaseal.”
He nodded, “Okay... So the strongest one is still fine.”
“The RAcaseal wasn’t damaged enough to be disabled. My techs aren’t strong enough to do that with one blast.”
He snorted a mirthless laugh. What he’d give for a Force right now.
“Can you stand?” he asked, and she nodded. Reaching down, he helped her to her feet. She pressed herself against the wall, tilting her head to the ceiling.
“Damn, this hurts.” she gasped. Her hair was in disarray - damp from perspiration, it was pressed against her face. She angrily whipped it aside, “Damn whoever gave androids the patience of a brick.”
He smiled in spite of himself. He had earlier thought almost the same as she had said just now.
“Do you have your guns?”
“Yeah,” she whipped the mechguns from their holsters, “but the chamber’s are nearly empty. How about you?”
He checked the chamber of his handgun again. The glow was hardly any different from before.
“It should be okay for a while.” he grimaced, “What can we do against them?”
“I don’t know.” she shook her head, “We could keep using Zonde, but if all that it accomplishes is getting us shot...” she let the sentence hang.
“Can we get close enough to shoot?”
She shrugged, then winced, immediately regretting moving her injured shoulder, “Maybe. But we’d have to be stupidly lucky to get them in range, let alone take them out.”
“We have no choice.” he raised his gun, and looked at the corner, his resolve set.
“Are you waiting here?”
She shook her head, and raised her mechguns. Despite the pain in her shoulder, she seemed to be able to hold them well, “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Okay, follow right behind me.” she nodded, and he turned back to the corner. Taking a deep breath, he wondered if this was how the Four Heroes had felt. His heart was beating so fast he thought it might burst.
“Go!”
They both sailed around the corner, guns raised, and photon bullets blew by them on either side. Yet still they charged, guns blazing, the green light of the muzzle-fire illuminating their features...

[supersonic703]

Nice......i like this alot.....keep this up man.

[Tenks reaction2]

Wow! What an unexpected twist. 2 on 2 all the way. Great story cant wait for the next one. lol

[synaesthesia]

wow now i feel bad about my self worth by limiting my ambitions to just living without creating something of my own....oh well great story by the way :D

[Momonpso]

You have a great gift for words! Keep up the excellant work. I am looking forward to the next chapter.

[Tide]

Currently writing Part 3. It'll be a FOmarand a HUnewearl versus De Rol Le. I'll post it as soon as it's ready.

[Tenks reaction2]

ok sounds cool.

[Tide]

Sorry this took so long, but other matters in life had to take priority, lol. Anyway, here it is!

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Three
The HUnewearl was tall, and her almost-white hair was tied back in two ponytails - each seemed to burst out of either side of her head, seemingly defying gravity. Her form-fitting white uniform was torn in several places, and already stained with pink and red with her blood, but she smiled despite the pain. In one hand she held up an Imperial Pick - she didn’t like photon weapons, and the curved blade of the Pick suited her tastes well enough. That, much like herself, was stained with blood. But the blood was not hers.
“Are you alright, Fang?” asked TicTac. His red robes hung loosely from his body, encircled near the hem by a ring of yellow that almost looked like flame. He wore bandages wrapped around his hands and forearms; not because he was wounded, but to help protect his palms when he attacked an enemy with them, and because it also improved his grip on the cane he was carrying. His shock of green hair was tied loosely in a ponytail that hung just above his shoulders, and his glasses were just visible behind an unkempt fringe. He hastily swept it aside.
She nodded, but winced despite herself.
“Stay still.” ordered TicTac, and he raised his left palm, looking to the small navigational device on his wrist. It had several purposes. One was to locate the bearer via the guild card system; the second was as a map of the surrounding area (it wasn’t terribly efficient - the map updated itself as you moved through the areas by using sonar technology); the third was to load technique disks into; the final was to use techniques themselves. The navigational devices temporarily connected to the central nervous system, and techniques could be called upon by mere thought.
Resta.
There was a loud ring from the navigational device, and then a stream of golden energy flooded across the dirt floor in every direction. As it reached Fang’s feet, it spiralled up around her, then dissipated into nothingness. Her wounds slowly closed.
“Thanks.” she said, “But I could’ve done it myself, you know.”
“I know. But you should save your strength. You know as well as I how draining techniques can be.”
She nodded again, “You’re right. Thanks again.”
“No problem.”
As they began moving through the cave again, TicTac couldn’t help musing to himself. Techniques weren’t magic, although he could understand why the children thought they were. They were technology - without the device on his arm, he wouldn’t be able to fire so much as a spark. But with it, he could devastate enemies with lightning, fire, ice, beams of light, and even the power of death itself, although the latter wasn’t guaranteed to work at all.
It could also be used to heal allies - nanotechnology was a wonderful thing indeed. Resta itself fired millions on nanobots that were programmed to repair cellular damage. Thankfully it was DNA specific, so it didn’t heal the creatures of Ragol. But Resta could also repair damage taken by androids - TicTac wasn’t certain how that worked, exactly. He had been a biologist once, but as far as mechanics were concerned, he knew little.
Suddenly snapping out of his thoughts, he realised that Fang was running ahead. He raced to catch up to her, covering the distance between them quickly. The warp to the underground channel must be near by now, he thought. He had heard stories of a creature down there - rumours, really, nothing more.
Supposedly it was more terrible than the dragon that had terrorised those brave enough to enter the Central Dome on the surface, but TicTac doubted that. That dragon had been strong, and he couldn’t fathom anything stronger.
Hoisting her Imperial Pick over one shoulder, Fang marched towards one of the heavy blast doors. It dutifully opened, dividing across the centre to slip into the top and bottom doorframes. Casually stepping over the gap behind her, TicTac surveyed the scene.
Three Poison Lilies. The three pointed petals arced away from the central ‘beak’. Where the pollen should’ve been, there was a large, beak shaped appendage. The one nearest, barely three paces away, rocked itself back and forth, the beak snapping but not quite reaching the two hunters.
Carefully, TicTac edged around it. Unlike most plants, Poison Lilies were large, perhaps a head shorter than himself, and the beak left a nasty slice in the skin, if you were lucky enough to not be impaled.
Trying not to take his attention from the other two, he raised his left arm.
Foie.
A fireball left his palm and screamed towards one of the far lilies. As it did, Fang sliced at the one that was still snapping with it’s beak. The Imperial Pick sliced neatly through the stem, and the lily snapped in two. It shrieked, and dropped. A green substance poured from the split. It smelled sickly sweet, and TicTac’s nose wrinkled.
TicTac turned back to the Poison Lily he had attacked. Nothing more than a charred length lay on the ground, surrounded by flecks of burned petal.
It was then that the green gel slapped wetly against his robes. It soaked through in an instant, and pressed itself against his skin. In a moment of horror, he felt it seep inside him.
Falling to his knees, he fought to concentrate. He could feel his strength ebbing, and knew he had been poisoned. Hearing another dim shriek, he knew that the other had been cut down by Fang’s blade.
He was suddenly aware of her next to him. He felt hands scrabbling against his robe, lifting him to his feet.
“Concentrate.” Fang’s voice sounded far away, “Fight it.”
“Anti.” he gasped, “Use it.”
She blinked. Of course she could use Anti, the technique that could be used to cure poison, but in her panic she’d forgotten. Releasing him for a moment, she held her left arm high, the navigational device pulsing green for a brief moment.
TicTac felt rather than saw the green streaks of light that shot up around him, and knew that the antibodies being injected into his system would destroy the poison. But he was still weak.
Then Resta. Again, he felt the rushing sense, and heard the loud ring.
Suddenly refreshed, his mind clearing, he steadied himself.
“Thank you.” he said, raising himself carefully to his feet.
She nodded, “Not a problem. Come on, let’s press on.”
And so they stepped forwards to the door that had opened. As they passed through they saw flashing red lights. TicTac shuddered. It was too much like an alarm.
And there, before them, was a transporter. It was a large square pad, surrounded by a red field the slowly rose up to another pad that hovered near the rock roof.
Glancing at each other, they stepped inside.

Fang’s first move was a stumble. She almost lost her footing as they moved onto a high speed raft of some kind. It looked sturdy, and was as wide as it was long. It reminded her more of a barge than a raft, she decided.
Glancing around, she caught sight of TicTac. Standing with his back to her and his arms limply by his side, it seemed he was unable to move. Then as she was about to ask what was wrong, he raised a hand, pointing out.
They were in a tunnel. An underground channel. And the raft was tearing down it at high speed. Lights dotted the walls, casting eerie shadows as they streaked by. But TicTac was pointing at something else.
It was in the water.
It looked like an insect, a worm perhaps. But it was massive, and it’s body was about the length of the raft they stood on. Two needle-point tendrils d:):):):):) from it’s ‘head’, flowing gracefully in the water on either side of its body.
But it was armoured. Fang could already see the head looked more like a skull, but elongated and far too large to have come from any human. It sent shivers down her spine.
She jumped as a bolt of lightning streaked towards it, and realised that TicTac was firing out blasts of Gizonde. The lightning seemed to strike each segment of it’s body in turn, moving towards the head. The creature roared; a deep growl that seemed to resonate through Fang’s insides. Hoisting her Imperial Pick over one shoulder, she waited. She knew she couldn’t reach the beast from here. Even at the very side, she couldn’t reach, not even if she swung the pick out as far as her arms would allow.
Then the creature broke the surface, it’s body bucking out of the water. Fang barely threw herself to the ground in time as a purple ball of... something fired from each segment of the body. She felt it crackle as it passed by over her.
TicTac wasn’t so fortunate. One hit him squarely in the chest, and he was blown several feet back. He came to rest at the edge; if he had slid any further, he’d have fallen into the rapid waters.
He jumped lightly to his feet - whatever those purple energy balls had been, they didn’t seem to do much damage.
Taking the opportunity, Fang swung her Imperial Pick around in an arc, burying one side into the things armour. It roared again, and then began to dive. Fang barely let go of her weapon before she was dragged in by it, and as she teetered on the edge she felt TicTac’s arms pulling her back to safety.
Nodding her thanks, she raised her hands. She no longer had a weapon - she hated carrying spares due to the extra weight - but she would still fight the thing.
Then it rose again. On the opposite side, this time. It had gone completely under the raft and up the other side. The Imperial Pick was still wedged into it, but regardless, TicTac continued to let loose multiple blasts of Gizonde.
The creature screamed, time after time. And then suddenly the skull armour at the head blasted away, shattering and splashing into the water. It revealed a head with too many eyes, and a round mouth with teeth that completely encircled it. It splashed through the water, apparently oblivious to what had just happened.
And then it suddenly fell back, and just as suddenly leapt from the water. It crashed onto the raft - most of its body was still in the water. TicTac had barely dodged aside in time, and he continued to fire his techniques.
Fang had noticed what he hadn’t. With some unease she noticed that the tendrils were waving above its head. And then one curled back.
She didn’t even get chance to scream a warning as it whipped towards TicTac with astonishing speed, tearing through his robe at the waist. He barely managed to twist his body enough for the point to miss, and it burst out of his loosely d:):):):):) robes at the back. And then it was just as suddenly withdrawn, leaving a gaping hole through TicTac’s robe that showed a slight amount of pale skin. Had he not moved, and the robe not billowed when he did, that needle would have impaled him.
The next time he was ready. Seeing the other tendril snap back, he twirled aside, stopping when he saw the needle point embedded in the raft. As it was withdrawn, with surprising ease considering how deep it had gone, it left a small hole that thankfully had not gone clean through.
Then it happened again, and TicTac turned and ran as the tendril sank into the raft again. Cursing under his breath, he wondered briefly why it was picking on him and not Fang. But he snapped away from it as the other was launched towards him.
But this time was different. As the tendril was withdrawn from the raft, Fang launched herself at it, catching it with one hand. She was immediately yanked bodily from the raft, and for a moment TicTac felt sure she was going to fly into the water. But she somehow held on, and as the thing was pulled back to the worm, she landed hard on the armour. Winded, she barely realised that the thing was sliding from the raft and into the water.
TicTac had stopped firing Gizonde; he was no doubt worried about hitting her. Men! They were fools!
“Use Foie!” she screamed. That should work. The fireball could be aimed where you wanted it to go.
Then she felt the water - it was stinging cold, and was rising over her quickly. The thing was submerging! Panic swelled inside her, but she held on, taking a deep breath. And then she was under.
The cold stung her face, and the ponytails freed themselves, becoming a tangled mass that blew along behind her. Moving this fast under the water was mind-boggling, and it was an effort to hold on to the armour plates. But there was enough room for her to squeeze her fingers in between each plate, and she held on as though her life depended on it. And it very probably did.
Then the worm bucked, and her hands slipped. She fell back through the water, horror swelling inside her as she scrabbled futilely against the things hide. And then she hit something solid, and lashed out, gripping it tightly.
She had grasped her Imperial Pick. Now the fun could begin.

[Momonpso]

Wow!!!!!! I say WOW!!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!! You must keep it coming! I think you have a future in writing. You better start looking for a publisher. :D

[Tide]

Heheh, thanks. ^^;

I guess I'll begin a part four. Not really sure how to do it though. So far I've had Hunter against Hunter, 2 Rangers against 2 Rangers, and Force and Hunter against Monsters. Hrm... Mebbe I'll work with an android in the party this time.

*grins* I just had a great idea. Let's say it relates to a black market in duplicate items. :D

[Momonpso]

8) Looking forward to whatever you write.

[AnimeFreak975]

I gotta buy Phantasy Star one day so I understand what this means.....

[Tide]

Once again, real life has kept me too busy to plug away at this as often as I'd have liked to. Anyway, without further fanfare....

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Four
Standing in the hustling streets of Pioneer 2, Wolf waited. Outside, he mused. Amazing, when he thought about it. The city itself was inside the dome of the gigantic ship, and standing between the blocks and apartments made him feel as though he was outside. He snorted. Outside indeed. Looking overhead, the vast emptiness of space yawned down on him, permeated by a thick blanket of stars. Due to some freak of nature, he could actually see another nearby galaxy. One of Ragol’s moons drifted by overhead, it’s soft blue glow bathing the edges of the high rise buildings with an eerie glow.
It was night here. Officially, at least. Night was everywhere on a ship that drifted through space, but on Pioneer 2 it was organised. Three separate ‘ships’ under three different time zones. Although the whole ship operated on a system known as ‘beats’, a thousand for every twenty-four hours, each separate ship operated at different times. It was a way of ensuring that people would always be on hand if problems arose - there was never more than two of the three ships sleeping at any one time. The system worked remarkably well.
Flicking aside a lock of long black hair, Wolf dragged his mind back to current events. Despite everything this ship stood for, and what it represented, there were still criminals. Black Paper had been one of them, and he had been the first to fall.
Wolf was a HUmar. A hunter. But despite that, he was here, and allowed to bear arms on board the ship. Normally, only the guards surrounding key areas were allowed weapons, but he was an exception. He was an agent of a sort, now, unofficially at least.
He had tracked the fellows Guild Card here - he had managed to obtain it from the unsuspecting man during a trading fair inside the Hunters Guild. The man was shady, and Wolf knew it. So many of these weapons had been floating around lately. Powerful weapons, of a like he’d never seen. The Heaven Punisher was one of them, and the man Wolf was tracking had offered him one. The fool.
Drawing an Agito from his back, he saw the man pass by. Slinking back against the wall, Wolf watched him step into the transporter that would take him to the lobby.
So it was true - Vega was where these criminals were gathering. He’d heard tip offs about it, but had never seen anything for sure.
Squaring his shoulders, he crept carefully towards the transporter.

Materialising in one of the familiar visual lobbies, so named because of the balcony that gave a magnificent view of Ragol and it’s surrounding moons, Wolf immediately stepped up a small set of steps. Before him was the counter where hunters generally arranged meetings and tournaments, not to mention where they challenged themselves to survive an area such as the forest in the fastest time and with the least powerful weapons. Wolf snorted. Too many hunters were treating this like a game of some kind.
Spotting the man he had been following to his right, Wolf quickly ducked left, squatting down behind one of the garden displays. This one held a large tree, and Wolf was quite grateful for the cover it provided. His hands were sweating inside his tight gloves, and he licked his lips to moisten them.
His eyes snapped towards the transporter as a HUcast materialised, seemingly out of thin air. Watching carefully, Wolf saw the android approach the man he had been following. Taking quick note of the androids pure white body, only broken by a slash of blue across the abdomen, and the head with a single, sweeping horn-like extension, Wolf held his breath. Hopefully, he would find a way into this underground organisation, if he played this right.
“You called me here?” the man said softly, “You’re a fool. Vega is the top of every investigators list of places to search.”
The android looked at the man and cocked its head. The machine was a clear foot taller than the human, but that mattered little. In theory, a human would always be held higher than an android. Or a newman, for that matter, but that was generally kept quiet.
“That is exactly why it is the last place they’ll expect to find us.” To Wolf’s surprise, the android spoke clearly, without any static. Whoever had built this robot knew enough about speech synthesisers to make the speech perfect. That hinted at someone with money to spend.
The man nodded, “Very well. What do you want from me?”
“Those weapons. The ones that have been banned by the higher powers aboard this ship. I want them.”
“Keep it down! If someone warps in, we’ll be screwed!” the man urged, eyes wide.
“In particular, I am interested in the Heaven Punisher.”
The man shook his head, “You’re not a ranger. It won’t do you any good.”
“Nevertheless, I have contacts who would benefit greatly from such a weapon, especially one with a high machine percentage.”
The man nodded, “I see. A high machine percentage? That won’t be easy. Do you have any photon drops?”
“Yes.” The android held out a hand. Inside, Wolf could just make out a faint green glow that indicated several clear and pure drops of crystallised photon particles. They were incredibly rare. He himself had only found four in two months of scouring Ragol’s surface.
Mind racing, Wolf realised he needed to act fast if he wasn’t going to lose the android forever. He could easily track the man with his Guild Card, but the android was a different matter. And it didn’t take much for an android to change it’s body colour or head shape, so his description probably wouldn’t last. In truth, he’d be surprised if it did.
Deciding to wait a little while longer, Wolf continued to watch. The transaction appeared to be over. The man was walking away towards the transporter, and the android was walking slowly towards the counter. As usual, the Guild worker was too busy filing her nails to have noticed anything unusual. Too used to things being quiet and normal.
As the man vanished, Wolf stepped out from his hiding place, drawing the full length of his Agito.
“Halt!” he called, “As a representative of Pioneer 2 Civilian Protection Agency, I am placing you under arrest!”
The android had frozen on the spot. Turning to face Wolf, it’s yellow eyes seemed to stare right through him.
“So the government wants to play?” It sounded too much like sarcasm for comfort, and the speech synthesisers only added to the effect, “Follow me if you dare, hunter. A one in fourteen chance. Good luck.”
With that, the android rushed towards the warp, and vanished.
Cursing, Wolf rushed towards the transporter. Checking his navigational device, he saw the list of Lobby 1 to 15. Lobby 1 would be pointless - he was already inside it. Checking them one at a time would be just as futile. In the time it took to check all 15, the android could have moved on to a different area of the ship altogether.
“If you were running away from me,” Wolf called to the lady behind the counter, “where would you go?!”
She looked up, appearing startled that she had been spoken to. Or rather, shouted at.
“Lobby 2.” she said simply.
“Why?”
She shrugged, “Because that’s where most people would normally look first. But the first place you think of is normally the last place you look.”
Wolf’s mind twisted. Grunting, he stepped into the transporter, “Lady, you’d better be right.”

As he appeared in Lobby 2, he barely had time to raise his left arm and defend himself. The Plasma Barrier he carried crackled as it created a wall of energy in front of him, and the Sealed J-Sword bounced away, and then sliced towards him again. Ducking aside, Wolf raised his Agito ready.
The android stood before him, sword held high. It was waiting for him, and he would have to go to it. The saying went that an android could outwait a rock.
Not liking it at all, he rushed towards the android, swinging his Agito in a low arc to catch the legs. Jumping, the android swung the sword down towards him. Sidestepping, Wolf didn’t see the free fist fly towards him until it was too late. The wind was knocked out of him as he was thrown backwards a good six meters, and he came to bounced twice before sliding to a halt against one of the walls that surrounded the lobby. Beyond that knee high wall was a fall that would scare most people senseless. As his dazzled senses slowly returned, Wolf was simply grateful that he hadn’t been knocked clean over.
He staggered to his feet, and his skull throbbed in sync with the hammering of his heart in his chest. Holding the Agito loose in one hand, he raised a gloved hand to his chest, winced, and then rubbed the back of his head. Those bounces had not been light.
“You cannot defeat me, hunter.” The HUcast actually sounded certain. Damn those speech synthesisers! At least the everyday android spoke with a slight amount of static, but that crystal clear voice was somehow unnerving, “This weapon is more powerful than you could ever imagine.”
Wolf’s lungs burned as he breathed heavily, but he moved to hold the Agito steady in front of him. It wasn’t really the androids weapon that bothered him; he just didn’t want that fist in his chest again.
“Enough of your talk.” he grunted, “I have more important matters to see to.”
“Such as?”
“Your arrest, and your reprogramming, if I have anything to say about it.”
The android laughed. It laughed! Wolf’s hackles rose. There was something about this android that he didn’t like.
“I would like to see you try that.” It steadied the Sealed J-Sword before itself, much the same as Wolf had his Agito. Wolf’s lip curled.
“Time to see how well a machine can dance.” he growled.
He darted forwards, slicing his sword towards the androids chest. But of course the android parried the blow, as he had expected it to. It stepped back, and swung it’s fist at him. This time Wolf was ready, and he raised his left arm. The flash of his Plasma Barrier appeared as the fist was deflected, and Wolf spun, slicing his weapon through the androids arm. It was a clean cut, and the hand fell to the floor.
As the android stepped away, Wolf could literally sense anger radiating from it. Odd, that.
“You’re better than I expected. But if I were to do the same to you, it would hurt you much more.”
It charged, sword swinging down. As Wolf parried the blow, the dance of death began anew.

[Momonpso]

:D :D :D Your story is GREAT (as usual). Let me know if you ever write a book. I will be the first to buy one.

[Tide]

Haha, of course! Thanks for the support. Now I need to start work on the next part. Although I'll admit I'm a little short on ideas. Time to put the ol' thinking cap on.

[PSOXtreme]

Wow Tide this is really good. Ive only read the first 1 or 2 parts before, but I took the time to catch up to your latest addition. I got to agree, everything is really well written. The grammer and structure of everything flows really nicely, and it isnt just RANDOM PSO RANDOM PSO!!! It actually incorporated a bunch of the elements of the game, like the Visual Lobbies and the Technqiues. Good job. Cant wait to see more in the future! :wink:

Heck, I wouldnt even mind letting you create a new topic with this, and put all of the parts together back to back, once you hit part 5 or so.

[Tide]

Hey, thanks man. I've always tried putting my own theories behind how techs work, because I hate how the game explains pretty much sod all. To have someone compliment that... well. Thanks. It makes it worthwhile.

I've still to start work on part 5. Struggling for ideas, really.

[Comander death]

i would love to see a ranger vs hunter

[Tide]

Ranger vs hunter, eh? Might just do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Tide]

Okay then. Time to start tying these stories together. Enjoy!

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Five
The navigational device on Trig’s wrist showed that her enemy was somewhere in the vicinity. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure what she was up against, and she held her L&K14 Combat machineguns steady, one raised, and the other pointing directly ahead. Perspiration caused her flame red hair to stick to her forehead, and she flicked her fringe aside with her wrist. She immediately grimaced as a stab of pain shot through her shoulder - that gunshot wound from the RAcast had never fully healed, despite the best efforts of the medical centre staff. She could picture the scar clearly in her mind - a small round area of wrinkled skin. Her spirits rose a little. Despite everything, she and the RAmar with her had managed to bring down those two androids. It had almost cost her ally his life, and he was currently comatose. The medical centre staff couldn’t believe he’d survived at all.
Turning her attention back to the sonar map, she decided that her enemy was closer. The difference was small, but definitely there.
She still found it difficult to believe that the ship she had lived on for so long was close to civil war. There were those aboard who felt the government had failed to inform the civilian population of the dangers of Ragol and the investigation which uncovered both Dark Falz and Olga Flow. And since the government denied both incidents, that only fuelled the rebels beliefs. Rumour suggested that their commander was already constructing a base somewhere on Gal Da Val island, but the sensors aboard Pioneer 2 were unable to pick it up.
The sound of an opening door brought back Trig’s attention. She was hunting one of those rebels now, inside the belly of Pioneer 2’s engine decks. Quickly ducking aside, she waited.
She was surprised to see a HUnewearl. Somehow, she’d expected the rebel to be male, but the figure before her was unmistakably female. Wearing a tight-fitting white uniform, with an Imperial Pick slung over one shoulder, and almost white hair tied back in two ponytails that seemed to be hair spraying from her head, she was the image of confidence.
Walking through the valve and pipe lined room, she was clearly alert. Within moments, she had spotted Trig, and turned to face her.
“Ah, so. The government sends it’s regards?”
Trig grunted, “Don’t play the fool. Haven’t you noticed I have two machineguns pointed at your skull? You’re either very brave, or very stupid.”
“Yet you won’t kill me.” the HUnewearl laughed, “Doubtless the Principal wants me alive.”
“Why were you down here? Who are you?”
“Now now. One question at a time.” She swung the Imperial Pick from her shoulder, catching the pole with her other hand. Now holding the weapon in both hands, she squared her shoulders, “My name is Fang. Don’t forget that. And why I’m down here is none of your business, Hunter.” she added that last with a sneer. Why, Trig didn’t know.
“How can you turn your back on everything that we believe in? Unity, peace, and a new home? How can you throw that away?!”
If Fang had been cool confidence earlier, she now seemed ready to burst with rage, “How can I turn my back? And what about you?! The one who so blindly follows orders from the Principal and the government, who have blinded you from the truth about what happened?!”
“I know what happened! It was necessary to cover it up to prevent a mass panic!”
“Believe that if you wish.” Fang looked to the navigational device on her wrist, “You might want to hold on to something.”
“What do you me-”
She was cut off as the corridor lurched, and the sound of an explosion tore through the doorway. Then everything started to shake, and Trig was thrown to the floor, her guns skittering away from her.
Suddenly, Fang was on her. Swinging the Imperial Pick in an arc above her head, Fang brought it down. As the curved blade sliced towards her, Trig twisted onto her side. The blade ricocheted from the metallic floor, and Trig used the moment to kick out at Fang’s leg. Falling to one knee, she grunted, and Trig kicked again, using the momentum gained to swing herself to her feet. The ship was still rocking beneath her.
“What have you done?!”
Fang rose, but fell again as Trig’s fist slammed into her face. Reaching into one of her belt pouches, Fang held up a small square item. No, it was rectangular.
“Stand back, or I swear I’ll use it.”
Trig stared. The item was flat, with a blue back. She couldn’t see what was on the front.
“What the hell is that?”
“It’s Compressed Alternate Reality Data. C.A.R.D data.” Fang rose to her feet, “With this, I can destroy you and half of this ship.”
“It’s a flat piece of card! What are you babbling about?!”
“I suggest that you ask your government. They’re the ones that developed it.” With that, she placed the card against her navigational device.
Trig’s jaw dropped in horror and shock as a Red Saber materialised in Fang’s hand.
“I suggest you leave. Before I make you leave. In pieces.”
Jumping to her feet, Trig ran towards her machineguns. Grabbing them from the floor, she rounded on Fang, and fired.
As the bolts of photon energy streaked towards her, they seemed to hit a barrier. Every single one frizzled into nothingness.
“What...?”
“It’s called a field lock. Nothing can get in or out.”
“That’s impossible!”
Trig barely had time to roll aside as a ball of Foie was thrown towards her.
“With this C.A.R.D technology, nothing is impossible. Fall back. Now.”
Trig gritted her teeth. How would she explain this to the government? The Principal and the council would not be pleased.
“So be it. Go. Now.”
Fang smiled, “I knew you’d see things my way. Don‘t get in the way of the ARKZ again.” she reached down and picked up her Imperial Pick. And then she ran along the corridor, leaving a very confused RAmarl behind her.

“Sir.” Trig saluted.
“At ease, hunter.” The principal stood before her in his green and purple robe of office, “I’ve been briefed on the situation. But I have to ask,” his face turned dark and serious, “are you certain that this HUnewearl, Fang, said Compressed Alternate Reality Data?”
“Yes sir.” she said briskly, “I have no doubt.”
“I see. Then this could alter the way the battle is fought entirely.”
“Sir?”
Rubbing his brows with his hands, the principal turned to his secretary, “Irene, get me the top hunters from every class. Hunters, Rangers, Forces. It’s time we organised a special forces unit against these rebels. And we need a commander. I suggest you try Natasha’s department.”
“Yes sir.” Irene left her desk and began walking towards the transporter.
“And as for you,” the principal turned to Trig, “You don’t speak one word of this to anybody. The security of the entire ship may depend on it. And it seems we have a spy. It’s the only way this technology could have fallen into enemy hands.”
“Sir, I request to join this unit you are preparing.”
“No.” the principal shook his head, “I’m sorry, Trig, but it’s how it must be. I need you to track down this spy of ours.”
“Yes sir.”
“Dismissed.”
Trig turned to leave, and then paused, “Sir, if I may? Why would Fang detonate a bomb in the engines? What good would that do if the rebels want to solve this without killing the civilians?”
The principal sighed, “Doubtless you have noticed we’re in the atmosphere now? Good. The problem is that the bomb wasn’t intended to damage the engines, but the stardrive fusion core. And it worked. We can no longer leave the Ragol system, should the need arise.”
Trig rubbed her forehead, “Why? Why go to such trouble just to take out our stardrive?”
“So we can’t wait for them all to go to their base, and then leave for another planet and abandon them. Sickeningly simple.”
Trig nodded, “I see.”
With that, she walked towards the transporter that would return her to the Hunters Plaza. She wasn’t any less confused than before, really, and this so-called C.A.R.D technology had her baffled. Where had it come from? Had the government really developed it first? And a spy had taken it to the rebels?
As she walked towards the Hunters Guild, there was one question that kept jumping at her. Something that Fang had said.
“ARKZ. What is that?” She didn’t know, but she was determined to find out.

[Momonpso]

WOW! Cool! (thats all I can say lol)

[Tide]

Heheh, thanks. I'll take that 'WOW' as a good sign.

Now that I'm starting to incorporate the C.A.R.D Revolution into my stories, I suddenly have a dozen or more ideas whizzing around inside my skull. Trouble is... How do you write a Card battle and make it seem tense? I mean, okay, you're about to start a battle, yet you're only allowed to draw five cards each and take it in turns? Like that'd happen. I'm going to have to do this very carefully. And the card battles won't be anything like those we're used to from Ep3, due to their relatively slow pace.

Things could get interesting... Can't wait to write part 6.

[Tide]

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Six
TicTac walked slowly through the ‘Lab’. It was a large area, to be sure, but much more compact than the Hunter’s Plaza that he was used to. It wasn’t his first time here, but he always felt uneasy walking the steel corridors. This area wasn’t government controlled. Instead, it was independent, controlled by a woman named Natasha Milarose. At least, he thought that was her name. She was definitely a Natasha though.
Gently adjusting his glasses, he looked out into an open area. Two telepipes glowed their colour in the corner, accompanied by the usual humming sound. Beyond them was a large window, which presumably once showed the view of Ragol from space. Now all that it showed was blue sky and the occasional fluffy white cloud. Things had changed much indeed.
He shook his head sadly. He still couldn’t believe that Fang had a bounty on her head, and worse, she’d sided with the rebels. The so-called ARKZ. What that name meant, TicTac had no idea. Maybe it didn’t mean anything. Maybe the leader just wanted to confuse people with the name. If that was the intention, it was certainly working. TicTac had a headache from trying to work it out.
He held a Summit Moon loosely by his side. What with the way things were, he wasn’t certain that the rebels weren’t among the Lab staff, and although he didn’t really expect them to leap out at him, the weapon he carried was a small comfort. He needed that small comfort. He wasn’t going to find much comfort elsewhere anymore. Hard times were coming, he suspected.
Sighing, he turned. It was time for him to use the warp that would take him to the hub of the Lab, and a few short moments later, he was standing inside the area where Natasha was based. Her desk was up a ramp directly ahead, and to the left of hers was another desk. The seat behind it was empty. On the right though...
“Ah, TicTac, glad you made it. It’s been a while.”
TicTac smiled softly, and walked towards the small desk that was occupied by a young HUnewearl, “Yeah, it has, hasn’t it Elly? Two years, maybe?”
“Well, on a ship this big, I’m lucky to have ever seen you again.”
TicTac laughed, “So what are you doing here? Are you still the operator?”
“Bingo,” she nodded, “and besides, Cal needs me.”
“Cal? The A.I?”
“That’s right. Remember when we went into the tower on Gal Da Val? Well, eventually, Cal was born out of it. Reborn, really. The process took the better part of six months, but I guess it isn’t easy to convert data to organics.”
TicTac frowned, “I suppose not. Are you sure it worked properly?”
Elly nodded, “Absolutely certain.” Seeing TicTac’s sceptical look, she grinned, “Take a look behind you if you don’t believe me.”
Raising an eyebrow, TicTac turned. Sunlight struck his eyes, and he shielded his face with his free hand. A dark figure was walking towards him. As feature came into focus, he got the impression of white robes, white hair, and a rather large white hat. It was a FOmar.
“Hello TicTac. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Eyes widening in shock, TicTac stared in amazement, “Cal? No way, it’s impossible!”
“Not impossible at all, my friend.” Cal laughed. He actually laughed! “I’m the same old Cal you saved from that old computer in the Mines a long time ago.”
“I don’t believe it.” TicTac breathed, “I’d never have imagined...”
“Anyway,” said Elly sharply, and they both turned to face her, “TicTac, you know why you’re here?”
“No, I was told to report to Natasha for instructions.”
“Well, as you can see, Natasha’s not here. She already briefed me to... uh... brief you. Now, you know that the ARKZ have been running wild for some time now, right?” TicTac nodded, “Good. We believe their base is on Gal Da Val island, but truth is, we’re not sure. Our sensors aren’t picking up any activity down on the planet whatsoever, which means that either there isn’t any, or they’ve found some way to block out our scans.”
“If this is going were I think it’s going...”
Elly smiled, “You’re right. You are to journey to Gal Da Val island and provide us with any information concerning the ARKZ that you can find. You are to search the island on foot, of course, as any vehicles leaving our ship and landing will immediately alert them to our presence.”
“And there is nothing unusual about two hunters going to explore the surface a little.” said Cal, “We assume the transporter to the island isn’t being monitored, else they’d have pounced on every party that’s ever stepped through it. And they haven’t.”
“Why not? Wouldn’t a group of hunters in the area be a considerable security risk for them?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.” said Cal, “I can only assume that they dare not expose themselves in any way, or draw attention to a particular area of the planet. It would be like a beacon.”
TicTac nodded, “Of course. Elly, will you be our operator for this mission?”
“Yes. I’ll provide you with whatever intel I can come up with on our end. But remember that you won’t have any backup. At all. You’ll be completely on your own.”
“That’s not quite true.” a voice called from across the room. Turning towards the source of the sound, all three laid eyes on a tall HUmar. He had his long black hair tied back in a ponytail, and his white hunters uniform caught the sunlight. TicTac had to shade his eyes again to take in the rough face with a few days worth of unshaven facial hair. His dark eyes were menacing, and he looked a born fighter. He carried an Agito in his fist, “I’ve been assigned to help you.”
“And what’s your name?” asked Elly, “I don’t have anyone down to go out on this mission other than these two.”
“My name is Wolf. I’m a government agent. Natasha and the Principal briefed me just an hour ago.”
TicTac raised an eyebrow and turned to Elly, “Does he check out?”
Furiously typing on her console, Elly held up a hand, “Give me a moment. Ah, there! Yep, Wolf Minase. He checks out clean. I’m reading his file.”
“Don’t read too deeply,” Wolf grunted, “Else you’ll find out some personal things you really don’t want to know.” Silence greeting his words, “Anyway, shall we go?”
Cal nodded, and began to walk towards Wolf. TicTac quickly turned towards Elly, “Listen to me, if you hear anything shady about this guy, I want to know about it. Check his clearance with Natasha.”
Elly nodded, “Of course, but... He checks out clean. Why so paranoid?”
TicTac gave Wolf a sidelong glance, and leaned forward onto Elly’s desk, “Let’s just say I’m being careful. I’ve had too many surprises lately, and I don‘t want another.”
“Of course. Now get going. Maintain contact at all times.”
“Will do. Catch you later.”
With that, he turned and began to walk towards the others by the transporter.
“Okay guys.” he said, “Let’s go crash the party.”
They stepped inside, and vanished.

To Be Continued

[Momonpso]

8) Good job. Soooo we finally meet Cal lol. Too cool.

[Tide]

I just couldn't help myself, so I wrote the next part right away. Enjoy!

Phantasy Star Online :: In The Heat Of Battle
Part Six - 2
As soon as TicTac materialised on the solid concrete floor of the Central Control Area he staggered. The wind furiously whipped at his robe, and the heavy rain had soaked it through in a matter of moments. His hair hung limp against his skin, and he could feel his ponytail blowing out behind him. A flash of lightning overhead darkened his mood further, and inevitably followed the rolling thunder. It was deafening and disorientating. Perhaps the weather was fitting for the mission they were to undertake.
Wolf quickly threw his head from side to side in a vain attempt to shake the water from his hair, but to no avail. Sighing, he pushed his hand through it, slicking it back. His ponytail had freed itself, and hung slack against his back.
Looking to Cal, TicTac smiled wryly. Grinning back, Cal began to walk towards the gate. It had been immense once, a large imposing structure of concrete and steel, but since it had been opened long ago when the Four Heroes had passed through, hunters had passed through without challenge.
TicTac frowned. The gate was closed.
“Why is it closed?” asked Cal, “I thought it had been opened?”
“It had,” said Wolf darkly, “There is something dark at work here.”
Feeling his hand tighten on his Summit Moon, TicTac grimaced, “Enough of the doom and gloom. We have a job to do.” He pointed towards another transporter, to the left of the gate, “Before we worry about this area, we might as well check out the others. We have to go to them anyway, so that we can open the three locks.”
Cal nodded, “Alright. There are three areas, right? What say we cover one each?”
“Bad idea.” said TicTac, and a roll of thunder only seemed to emphasize his point, “We’ll be vulnerable alone.”
“I say we split up,” Wolf had hefted the blade of his Agito onto his shoulder, “We can cover more ground. And we can each use Elly as a means of communicating. She can relay any messages.”
“I still think it’s a bad idea,” sighed TicTac, “But I can see that you won’t change your minds. Which areas do you guys want to explore? We have Jungle, Seaside, and Mountain.”
“I want Jungle,” said Wolf, “I like it there.”
“Cal?”
Running a hand through his drenched hair, he shrugged, “I’ll take the Seaside area. I’ve always wanted to visit the beach.” He smiled.
“Then I’ll take the Mountain. Remember, stay in touch.”
He waited as Wolf stepped into the transporter.
“Don’t go dying on me,” said Wolf grimly, “Remember that these rebels are serious. They have a technology more powerful than you’d ever believe.”
He vanished before TicTac could question him further. As Cal stepped into the transporter, he looked TicTac in the eyes.
“You don’t trust him. Wolf, I mean. You don’t trust him, do you?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust him exactly. I’m simply wary. You can never tell who is a rebel nowadays.”
Cal nodded, and vanished.
“Well, time to get going.”
TicTac stepped into the transporter, and he saw the bright burst of light that was usual for the process.
And he emerged into darkness. Blinking in surprise, he used his hands to feel around himself. He was in a small enclosed space that didn’t offer much room.
Definitely not the Mountain area. He felt panic begin to rise inside him.
This was turning into a bad day indeed.

Cal breathed in the fresh salt air, and sighed with relief. The storm hadn’t touched this part of the island, and it was a moderately clear sky. Arching his neck, he could just make out the edges of black clouds above him. The storm would pass altogether soon.
He was unarmed. Partly because he wasn’t really worried that any of the local wildlife would attack him, due to their drastic decrease in numbers, and partly because he didn’t need a weapon. His technique skills were highly polished, and were as high as he could get them. And he was skilled with unarmed combat as well. There were certain advantages to having been a machine once.
Enjoying the walk, he stretched. He wasn’t here to enjoy himself, he realised. He was here to track down the ARKZ, and find where they were based. He wondered if TicTac and Wolf had already found something.
It wasn’t really a long walk to find the touch pad that deactivated he first of the gates locks, but it was a winding path through dense vegetation and narrow caves. But as he found it, he smiled victoriously.
Stepping quickly towards it, he stretched out his hand. Almost there. Almost done.
“Hold it right there, hunter.”
Spinning quickly, and leaving a small round hole in the sand as he did, Cal faced a FOmarl. Swathed in a black robe, with her hair in a black bun sitting atop her head, she could have been his exact opposite. She held a Twinkle Star, the tip of which was pointed directly at his heart.
“And who are you?” asked Cal quickly. He’d never been in a true confrontation before, and he was nervous.
“My name is of no importance. What are you doing here?”
Cal frowned, “I could ask the same of you. I’m exploring the area.”
“For what?”
“That would be classified, madam.”
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned towards him, “I would leave if I were you. Now.”
“And why would I do that?”
He gritted his teeth as she moved the weapon closer.
“It would be in your best interests.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’m on orders from the Principal and Natasha.”
The woman looked startled, but the look passed in an instant, “I see.”
“You’re one of them, aren’t you?” Cal slowly began edging his hand towards the gate lock. If he could just reach it before a fight broke out.
“You’re observant, hunter,” she whispered. Her words pierced him like ice, “but I won’t let you leave this place.”
“And if a hunter goes missing, the government will immediately scout the area. You can’t afford that, can you? Is your base in this area?”
“Our base?” her eyes widened, “I have no idea what you’re...”
Cal’s hand found the gate lock, and he pressed it. It immediately began glowing green.
There was no warning.
A dark purple ball of energy engulfed him, and he breathed heavily as the wave of Megid passed over him. He felt his stomach tighten. And then it had passed, and he met the woman’s surprised stare with a menacing one of his own.
“This,” he hissed, raising his left arm and using his right to point to his navigational device, “is a Resist/Dark. I’m afraid your Megid won’t kill me first hit. Or second or third.” Her eyes moved to the small, round bolt sticking from the device’s surface, “If you think you can get enough blasts in before I take you in, go ahead. But you might as well surrender.”
He laughed as another ball of Megid was fired at him. Again his stomach knotted, and then it was over.
“That’s two. Now it’s my turn.”
The woman quickly backed away, raising her weapon.
Cal had already acted.
Zonde.
A bolt of lightning arched from the sky and struck it’s target. It wasn’t powerful enough to kill her in one hit, but it should come close. She was instantly knocked to the ground, unconscious.
“Easier than I expected.” Cal began to walk towards her.
“Hold it right there.”
Spinning, Cal barely had time to duck as a sword sliced towards him. Quickly backing away, he found he was facing a HUmar wearing a dark uniform with slashes of red, and his hair in an untidy parting. He seemed... strange. Something about him was wrong, but Cal could not decide what. That was when he noticed the sword.
It shone with red energy. The hilt was like any normal photon sword, but this weapon didn’t have the standard blade. It pulsed red, with pin:):):):):) sized flashes of light. Cal had never seen its like before.
“Who are you?”
The man stared at him darkly, “My name is Endu. And you are?”
“I’m Cal.”
Endu raised an eyebrow, “Cal, huh? Yes, this could get very interesting indeed. So show me exactly what an A.I is capable of.”
Cal’s eyes widened in surprise. This man knew! How was that possible?! But he shook off the concern. Now was not the time for questions. It was a time to fight.
As Endu began to run towards him, sword held high, Cal prepared himself. Unarmed as he was, this would not be an easy battle, and he had no time to call upon techniques. This battle would be decided by his reflexes.
“Come on!” he screamed, squaring his shoulders. He knew in his heart that he would not win.

Pressing the touch pad, Wolf grimaced. This had been too easy. If ARKZ were operating in the area, at least one would have turned up by now. But he had unlocked the gate without incident. He was almost disappointed.
Yet when he turned, he was startled to see an android standing there, apparently unarmed. His blue body was slashed with yellow, and Wolf’s eyes almost hurt to look at him. A HUcast.
“You’re late.” said Wolf slowly.
“What can I say? I was jamming to the boss. He didn’t like my tunes, but it wasn’t a complete loss.”
Wolf stared. “You were.... jamming?”
“That’s right! Feel the beat! Feel the groove! Let it be shown in the way you move!”
“Do you insist on making your sentences rhyme?”
The android nodded, “Music is my soul, my life. It keeps me going through all my strife.”
Wolf’s eyebrows were slowly creeping higher, “What’s your name?”
“Hyze, and don’t you forget it. If you do, I’ll make you regret it.”
“Cut it out! It’s annoying!” Raising his Agito, Wolf snarled, “I don’t like people who talk too much.”
“But I...”
“Or sing.” Wolf interrupted, “Now are we going to get this over with, or are you going to serenade me to sleep?”
“I thought you’d never ask. Be warned, these breaths will be your last.”
Growling, Wolf charged, swinging the Agito with all of his might. The android sidestepped away from the blow, and hit Wolf squarely in the back with a fist, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor. Grunting, he raised himself.
“That won’t happen again, I promise you. You got lucky.”
“Lucky?” the android shook his head, “I know your style, your so-called skills. I’ve studied them for easier kills.”
Screaming, Wolf swung the blade again. Again the android dodged, and the blade cut harmlessly through the air. Wolf backed away, and then thrust his sword straight at the android’s abdomen.
There was a loud ring, and Wolf grinned, believing the sword had struck home. But his smile quickly faded as he saw that both of Hyze’s palms were pressed against the flat sides of the Agito. The tip of the weapon was barely an inch away from the body. Wolf pressed himself against it, trying to force it through, but the blade wouldn’t budge.
He was stunned as he was backhanded across the face, which sent him sprawling to the floor. Dazed, he watched as Hyze flipped his Agito into the air, then plucked it by the handle.
“I suggest you leave. I don’t like killing. But force me and I shall, god willing.”
Grunting, Wolf got to his feet, “I never back down from a fight.”
“Then you shall die by my hand, your corpse left to rot upon this land.”
And then Hyze charged, swinging the Agito low. And then he twisted the blade, and cut up.
Wolf’s eyes widened as the blade hit home. Looking down, he watched a thin red line appear in his white uniform. And as if in slow motion, the red line began to widen, and his blood began to leak through. He couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing.
He fell to his knees.
His last words, before death took him, were, “Bloody androids.”

[Momonpso]

:shock: Eeeek! Poor Wolf! And what about TicTAc? I must know what happens!

[Tide]

Heheh, I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a while for that. The next part skips back to Trig.