“What? Did you say Taurus?—” Akari takes a firm stance.
“We need to stop Decius!” she says. Everyone remains quiet. Akari looks around.
“I will not resign this boy to that fate!” Montello smiles at her comments.
“He is not simply doomed! I won’t allow it! Vin, how do I find Decius? I’ll stop him myself.” Akari says. Vin looks down.
“It’s not that easy,” he says.
“Then help me. All of you! Vin, I’ll pay you, and you.” Akari says as she points at Kamon. “You! You most of all owe it to Clave!” Kamon remains silent. Vin looks away and doesn’t answer.
“I am afraid I cannot help you with that quest but if there is a way to avoid his fate. I am sure you will find it.” Montello responds. He then turns to leave and Kamon follows behind.
“Is that it? Kamon! Will you abandon him again?” Akari asks. Without stopping, Kamon turns his head toward Akari.
“Will you risk the world on that boy’s fate?” Kamon replies. Montello and Kamon leave Akari and Vin. Vin walks toward Clave and Akari brandishing his sword.
“You know what must be done. This risk is—” Akari interrupts Vin.
“This risk is mine to take!” she yells.
Chapter 42
Report
Location: Redemption headquarters—General Quell Taurus’s office.
Lana enters the room and finds General Taurus talking to a quirky-looking scientist in a lab coat.
“I’m here Sir.” Lana announces.
“Good timing.” General Taurus says.
“I am glad to see you’ve recovered. Sorry it took me so long to review your mission debriefing but I have been very busy. Anyway, I trust that the investigation was informative?” Lana remains silent as she looks at the scientist.
“Oh, it’s okay. Let me introduce you to Spyder. He is our head scientist on Earth and a former apprentice of Melchior, our head scientist on Beta Earth.” Spyder holds out his hand and Lana shakes it.
“N-N-N-Nice to meet you. Tr-Truly a pleasure to see a future … Umm … Well—” General Taurus interrupts Spyder. “I’ve placed Spyder in charge of developing special equipment—battle suits, weapons, devices—for Redemption use.” General Taurus says.
“Don’t we use the United Federations’ R and D facilities?” Lana asks.
“Yes. but now the game has changed and we need to as well.” General Taurus says.
“I understand … fully.” Lana hands General Taurus a data chip containing information about the Aton Gallery investigation. He collects it and turns to Spyder.
“Be prepared. After I review these, I will be handing off the info to you Spyder. We need to be able to adapt to this new enemy.” General Taurus says. He then turns back to Lana. “Good job,” he says. Lana smiles with pride.
“You should also know that Spyder is developing special equipment for you.” General Taurus says.
“For me? Why?” Lana asks.
“B-B-Because you are the-the only one who can use it, of course.” Spyder says.
“The people I sent you to research don’t even scratch the surface on the threat level. Lana, we are possibly dealing with a much greater danger.” General Taurus warns.
“What? Someone more dangerous than the two I saw?” General Taurus nods.
“Yes. Spyder, you worked with Melchior on project XR 2-012, right?”
“I-I was j-just a—” General Taurus shoots Spyder a glance.
“Y-Y-Yes, sir!” Spyder shouts out.
“XR? What is that?” Lana asks.
“Short of Exari, a name … we all knew him by.” General Taurus explains.
“Please have a seat, both of you. I will explain everything I know about the Exari project and how it relates to our current mission. This will show you why we all must play a bigger role in order to maintain the safety of humanity.”
“A larger role?” Lana says.
“Yes, the true purpose of our organization … why it was given the name Redemption.” General Taurus says.
Chapter 43
Ending Pt. 1
The Choice (Akari’s Sin)
Akari stands ready for combat. She is prepared to defend Clave with her life. “You are incredibly strong, Vin. With proper training, you alone could suppress sprawl strife, stop or stifle wars and help this world hold a measure of peace.” Akari says.
“My father is already doing that. While the world is being saved, people still suffer. I’ll protect those people.” Vin says.
“But don’t you see—” Vin interrupts. “Each time I use this power, I bring myself closer to death and I am not that selfless.” Vin looks at Clave. “So what will you do about him?” he asks.
“The only thing I can. I must seek out Redemption for what I have done.” Akari says as she pulls out the chip General Quell Taurus handed her. The chip contains the mission specs of a special mission to round up all of the possible avatar candidates (a.k.a., the Project Guardian subjects). She examines the chip closely. “I will find another Avatar candidate, help him. Then I’ll hope that Decius chooses him.” Akari explains.
“What then?” Vin asks.
“Then Clave will kill that Avatar.” Akari says as she looks at Clave. “This boy will be our savior,” she says.
“You think things will work out like that?” Vin asks. Akari bows her head.
“This is my trial. If I want to redeem myself, I will have to make this boy into our savior.”
“By sacrificing another … sounds complicated. This is a dangerous gamble even for you.” Vin says as he drops his sword and takes off his glasses. He then starts to walk away.
“That’s it?” She expected a fight from Vin.
“I am honored that you would compliment my skills but even I can tell a battle against you right now would be futile. As such, my story for now is over and I guess his is just beginning. Good luck … I’ll be watching.” Vin walks into the shadows and vanishes into the surroundings. Akari sheaths her blade and walks over to Clave, who is still unconscious.
“Clave. I was wrong. Meeting Vin might have been the best experience for you. I'm sure of it. Some of him will rub off on you. You are no doubt a skilled warrior but he has shown you something I wasn't even able to master ... the strength of a true guardian.” Akari says.
Chapter 44
Ending Pt. 2
Time: One Week Later.
Location: Earth—Gaidon’s Syndicate Headquarters.
Gaidon scans his computer screen in his lavish executive chair in a high-tech office on the seventy-seventh floor of his new building in City District 8. Eva enters the room. “Send out a message to all Faux Forsaken Clan members. They are now honorary members of the Syndicate.” Gaidon announces.
“Vin allowed it? Even without a contract?” Eva asks. Gaidon grins.
“He practically begged for it.” Eva walks toward Gaidon’s desk.
“Some more good news. Riken, of the original Forsaken Clan on Beta Earth, has heard of your recent acquisitions. He wishes to ally his forces with you against the Syndicate Councilmen on Beta Earth.”
“Excellent. We now have the force needed to wage war but I don’t want a battle of attrition. I want a decisive win, and for that, I will need a specialty. What of Vin? Any word on our request of him?”
“He won’t leave the sprawls, Gaidon. I fear he is growing tired of our affairs.” Eva says. Gaidon lets out a sigh as he contemplates.
“Yes, we should make good use of him before he disappears. Call in our covert operative, Agent Damon. Have him gather Agent Riff and Gate along with two unique members of S.P.Q.R. Then have all of them report here for personal combat and survival training from Vin.”
“You think Vin will agree?” Eva asks.
“Of course, once he hears they will be going to Paradise.” Gaidon says confidently. Eva’s eyes widen.
“Paradise? You know where it is?”
“When I was attacked by Decius, I saw the general locati
on. But with that, they should be able to pinpoint it for us.” Eva smiles.
“You are truly amazing. To have that in your pocket is—”
“I know. However, we are still in need of a specialist for our war.” Gaidon says as he turns and looks out the window. The sight of the city lights below calms him. He closes his eyes. “Clave,” he says.
“Him? You sure?” Eva confirms.
“Yes. Find Clave and hire him for this campaign. I think Agent Damon knows how to contact him. If he is truly as good as when I first saw him. By next year, I should be the undisputed leader of the Syndicate on Earth and Beta Earth.” Gaidon explains. Eva leans in close to Gaidon.
“You know if you find Paradise … Well, how far are you willing to take this?” Gaidon looks Eva dead in the eye.
“I am prepared to go to war with the U.F. if they get in my way.”
“That sounds like world domination to me.” Eva adjusts her glasses and smiles slyly. Gaidon laughs.
“Only if it comes to that.”
“Anything else?” Eva asks. Gaidon looks up slowly.
“We need protection.”
“From who?” Eva asks.
“From Decius.” Gaidon says with a hint of fear in his voice. Eva moves closer to Gaidon.
“What exactly happened when he attacked you?” Gaidon looks at Eva.
“I need you—” Gaidon says softly and Eva blushes slightly.
“To help me find someone called Montello. He is a skilled hacker and supposedly he knows how we can gain protection from Decius.” Eva clears her throat and composes herself.
“I see. So this is the start of our ascension.”
“Yes.” Gaidon stands and holds Eva by the waist.
“We will rise and I plan to break all barriers. Nothing will stand in our way.” Gaidon says.
“Sounds interesting.” Eva replies with a smile.
Chapter 45
New Beginnings
Time: One month later.
Location: Earth—A Discrete factory.
A fully cloaked man walks into a factory. He walks up to a well-built older man covered in oil and dust who is polishing a large, cannon-like weapon.
“Gaidon sent me. Are you Enoch?” the cloaked man asks. Enoch looks up and stops polishing the cannon.
“At your service.”
“I have business on Beta Earth.” the cloaked man says.
“Well, if you’re dealing with Gaidon, I can guess what type of business it is.” Enoch says. The mysterious figure looks around at all the different weapons. They range from old weapons, such as swords and staffs. To projectile guns and experimental meteorite fusion rifles.
“Quite the display.” the cloaked man says.
“Yeah, don’t dismiss the old-style weapons, either. I’ve updated them using my own technology, and I should say some of it is courtesy of my brother.” Enoch replies.
“Your brother?” the cloaked man says.
“Yeah, Melchior. I think he works for some secret organization now, but ol’ Montello helps me keep up to date with his developments ... if you know what I mean.” Enoch lets out a hearty laugh. The mysterious figure looks at the swords. He picks one up and examines it closely. It has a green pulse to it and looks beautiful.
“It’s nice …” The cloak man says.
“Good eye. Those are pretty much indestructible and can even survive a blast from laser and meteorite guns.” Enoch explains. The cloaked man puts the sword down.
“Meteorite guns … you have any of those?” Enoch scratches his head.
“Actually, we just got one in. It’s a prototype, but it is still highly effective.” Enoch stands up and heads into the back room. He comes back out a moment later holding a jet-black rifle with red, pulsating stripes. The gun is connected to a small, black container via the hilt of the handle.
“This is a rehabbed gun that was rumored to have been used back when the four horsemen attacked all those years ago.” Enoch explains as he hands the gun to the mysterious person. The stranger evaluates its weight and grip.
“Feels good.” the cloaked man says.
“I’d rather you not test it in here but it runs off synthetic meteorite. So it’s hard to resupply. Also, it shoots in short burst or lance mode.” Enoch replies.
“Streams the energy, huh?” the cloaked man asks.
“Yeah, all without overheating … most times. Actually, I wouldn’t overstress it.” Enoch warns.
“Will it hook up to a battle suit?” the cloaked man asks. Enoch nods.
“Oh yes, and it is fully adaptable with old and new suit operating systems.” The cloaked man continues to examine the gun.
“Does it have a name?”
“Uh, this one has no specific model name. It has been greatly changed from the original but it’s referred to as Satyr Prototype A.” Enoch says.
“Satyr, huh?” The cloaked man swings it around skillfully.
“I like it. Will it be extra for something like this?” Enoch shakes his head.
“Nope, all covered on Gaidon’s tab.”
“Then that will be all.” the cloaked man says and then whistles.
“Hey, Gene, come pick this up.”A young man comes running in the shop. He looks at the cloaked man and then at the Satyr.
“This one?” he asks.
The cloaked man sighs.
“You’re pretty slow for an orphaned kid. Aren’t you guys supposed to be quick, street smart, and all that crap?” Gene frowns.
“You’ll see, I’ll be faster, stronger, and better than you one day!”
“Keep dreaming small-fry. Go on, grab it. We have to visit a friend before we leave Earth and she’s waiting for us.” the cloaked man says. Gene gathers the Satyr and exits the shop. The cloaked figure follows behind him.
“Oh, and bring it back to me if you need it repaired. Normally I would be nervous to let a beauty like that go, but I know it’s in good hands.” Enoch says and then gives a short gruff laugh. The cloaked man gives a short wave upon his exit.
“Sure, see ya next time.” Enoch pick up the large metal cannon he was polishing before and continues to rub it.
“Yeah, see you next time, Clave.”
Epilogue
Lana sits at a desk in her room and gazes out her window at the setting sun. “I wasn’t strong enough to protect him … that guy, Vin. I wonder if he is okay … I wonder if I will be able to protect others.” She rests her head in her hands. “Why do I get the feeling. That something is holding me back? If I can’t break through soon and find my true self. I will fail.”
Abel sits in a beautiful grass field with his arms folded and resting on his knees. He stares at a small village in the distance. “Gaidon knows where Paradise is … soon others will know as well. My home is no longer safe.” Abel bows his head into his folded arms. “I have failed my home.”
Vin is perched upon a tall building overlooking Sprawl 15. “Even though I made the deal with Gaidon … the people of the sprawls still suffer. What makes it worse is, no matter what I do … I can’t erase what was done to the ones I loved.” Vin bows head slightly and breathes out slowly. “I have failed to protect my promise and my home.”
Gaidon sits in his executive chair staring out his window at the cityscape of District 8. “I’ve finally acquired a force great enough to topple the old bastards. The old syndicate who stood in the way of my dreams. However, this Decius … if he is right, all my hard work will be for nothing.” Gaidon rubs his chin and laughs slightly. “Even after playing the perfect hand, I still failed.”
Akari leans on a rail that overlooks a large crater. She is just outside one of her training facilities. “I put that boy in this position … and I thought I understood the risk. Now, I realize this won’t just affect me or him but I’ve put the world in danger. With all my knowledge and foresight, how could I have not seen this?” Akari hangs her head low and closes her eyes. “This time … I must admit that I have failed.”
Roni bandages up Gene. He cringes as Roni roughly tightens the white cloth around his arm. “Roni, thanks for training me.” Roni nods to Gene.
“If Clave won’t teach you, I will. I have already failed to protect my family … but when I find the killer I will make him pay.” Roni stands up and looks at Gene.
“I of all people understand why you want to get revenge for your parent’s death and I won’t deny you that,” she says. Gene stands up and dusts himself off.
“Maybe we can get our revenge together … maybe we’ll even get a second chance to do the things we couldn’t.” Gene says innocently as he points off into the sky.
“Just like Beta Earth, if we go there we get a second chance right? That’s why Clave went there right? Everyone deserves a second chance.” Roni laughs and holds her head in her hands. She then wipes back her hair and looks up in the sky alongside Gene.
“Yeah … maybe we can all have … a second chance.”
To be continued in Beta Earth: Awakening.
Copyright © 2014 by Jerry R. Napier. All rights reserved.
Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition Page 15