The Waltz

Grailen

An explosion from behind me caused me to dive forwards and come up with my scimitars drawn. A red-haired femme demon came with a series of blindingly fast attacks. My blades moving at full speed trying to keep her from connecting a hit. I jumped and did a somersault over her and made a short dash to put some distance, and ran smack into a green-eyed Cybrid who continued the attack. Swearing I did I cartwheel to avoid the attack I knew was coming from behind, and in doing so, I narrowly avoided being pinned between fury incarnate, and a 'brid. Scowling this made me angry. A 'brid and a human fighting co-operatively?

::And <us>? We are different.

I chained a back flip into my cartwheel and stood for a second regarding the two who seemed to be a bit more cautious seeing me maneuver like I did. I felt strong arms wrap around me, and judging from what I felt in my back, it was a woman. I struggled to be free from her bearhug but to no avail, this one was incredibly strong. Scowling again, I closed my eyes.

Invoke level three temporal wave ::>>Invoking<<::

Space-time began to distort in a shockwave pattern around me. I felt the woman's arms shift dimensions in response, thus freeing me. I jumped vertically using some of my psi ability to expedite the maneuver and as I cleared the woman's arms, space-time began to return to normal, and I kicked her square in the chest and flew towards the 'brid and the redhead with my blades drawn. Death in mind, and it was theirs.

====

I awoke, my arms bound rather securely behind me. Frowning I strained my nowhere-near insignificant muscles and only felt the bindings tighten. I closed my eyes again.

Give me a level one temporal wave focused on my hands ::error psi-powers suppressed/disabled by dense/thick gravity\time field/zone above <us>::

Swearing I bowed my head. They knew about my powers, and they knew how to suppress them some how. Extreme gravity is the only problem I've ever had. Closing my eyes again, I let my mind open up. I felt many minds around. I was in a population center of sorts. However there were a handful of incredibly powerful psi-active minds that seemed preoccupied with something… therefore they did not notice me poking around. Looking a bit more I stumbled upon a familiar, yet unique mind. Curiously, I made contact and almost soiled myself. Withdrawing quickly, I opened my eyes... It was her... So I wasn't the last after all. There was another still alive.

Smiling I leaned back a bit. The Imperial Knighthood. Vanquished by Petresun himself at a formal Ball, some six hundred or so years ago for failing to discern Mercury's malady before it vanished. A bomb had been set in the floor. And as Annie Oakley strode out with her consort in tow, my then-weak psi power sniffed out the bomb too late. I ran for the two screaming the command code to indicate an ambush. I remember it very clearly, the look on her face, as the blood drained from it. Her eyes widened as she saw me moving at break neck speeds towards her. The other Knights all drew their swords and formed an ever-closing circle around her. Still running I shook my head screaming “No! Flee! Leave!” the confusion sat in as I felt the bomb go off. The sound of God clapping inside my head. I watched the explosion unfold from under Annie's feet. A white pinprick at first that unfolded to engulf her and her consort. The other Knights were still standing in their protective positions. A few were looking back when the explosion started. It happened so fast that they didn't even have time to act surprised. A matter of milliseconds later the entire room was pure white. Through the middle of this, I heard my companion's tin voice telling me something about a space-time bubble. Everyone but me that day passed away. Well, her as well. She was on Mercury for some god-awful reason when it vanished, and we all assumed that Mercury had phased out of existence. But here I was (wherever here was) and so was she… the only other remaining Wolf Pack member. Perhaps the most reclusive member, the most solitary soul ever to be beholden to the Imperial Knights.

Estri. Formally Dunkelzhan of the BDU. She was here. Alive on Mercury.

====

I remember not liking the dress uniforms that we knights were expected to wear. I even complained about it to Annie, but she just laughed and said something about honoring the sacrifices of our friends. I grumbled as I strode out of her office. For me, honor was all. And once she said that, there would be no way I could let myself look anything less than perfect for this party. So I stood there, off to one side, a wine glass in hand watching the party. Feeling the many minds swirling around me, I found it hard to enjoy myself. Even though everyone was enjoying themselves, the feeling of being invaded by someone else's emotions was putting me in a mood most foul. I remember greeting Falcon as he strode towards the waitress to grab a glass and acquire his wife from a throng of women as he took her into a spirited dance. They laughed gaily as they spun and whirled madly. Annie grinning ear to ear grabbed her consort whom we've come to know as 'Bronco' (hidden meanings aside), and the four competed in a maddening whirl of feet and faces as the other cheered them on.

====

A bright light interrupted my dream, someone was forcing an eyelid open, I cursed them savagely as the light hurt my eyes. They said something I didn't quite catch, and then left. My dream returned shortly after.

====

I remembered waking up among some debris weighing heavily down upon my back. I was uninjured, but I was also unable to move. The weight of the rock was far too great for me to move it. I heard the sounds of construction HERCs moving about. (They have loud servos, not the mil-spec 'stealth' servos battle HERCs have). The sound of people's voices here and there as well. Then I heard the thing that mollified me. One of the men yelling about a survivor, then a gunshot a moment or two later. My heart filled with ice at the realization. Petresun had done this. Petresun, the ‘Great Emperor' had ordered the Wolf Pack annihilated on the anniversary of our victory. My companion had come online during this and merely quibbled about patching into the comm-frequencies. Reports of charred remains, and three survivors. I heard them joke that Annie Oakley, and Mad Dog were probably vaped in the blast. My icy heart turned into fire, but still I could not budge the boulder. Then something happened. Everything turned transparent and I slowly began to rise through the rock. I heard it shift and slam down, and I braced myself for pain. But there was none. I kept floating up, and then I saw daylight and flinched, and fell. I squeaked as I hit the ground unexpectedly and shouts came from all around. Followed immediately by gunfire. My instincts took over and I made haste to get away, and was struck by a stray shot in the back of the head. I remember tumbling forward and kissing a slab of wall.

====

I woke up far more gently than I had the last time. Easing a bit, I was still unable to free myself. However, I was still able to let my mind wander the building. I vaguely remember contacting a familiar presence. Whose I can't quite recall, it seemed like ages ago. I let my mind wander and encountered it again. Smiling I almost started to cry. It was Estri. The woman I had been searching for. The reason I still bothered with everyday life. I cared not how she still survived, or why she seemed different, but she was here all the same. I withdrew, not wanting to alert her to my malady. I would surprise her. Yes. I closed my eyes and my mind once again went back to that fateful day.

====

I was sitting on the foot of my Minotaur. “The Ripper” I had named it. Twin ELFs and EMPs. I was able to take all but the most skilled pilotforms. I was looking over the ruined city of Alexandria. We had fought so hard to keep the 'brids away. We had lost so much. A mere two days ago, the ‘brids broke off the assault in disarray. It seemed that the toaster-God had been snubbed. My own HERC was not without its own signs of wear. The cockpit glass had long since been obliterated, and a few visible holes from a bullet hit or two.

“Hey you, don't look so gloomy.” I smiled a bit as Estri came to sit beside me. When she sat down she threw her arms around me and nuzzled my neck.

“We won, the cans are beaten, all we have to do is get rid of the remainder that didn't jump planet.” I sighed a bit. We had lost so many, so much.

“Just don't forget them,” she said as if reading my thoughts.

“I have to go to Mercury, they need me to go assist the BDU in helping clean up the remaining 'brids, and my past dealings with the BDU they think will assist in relations. But first.” She smiled and pulled me off the HERCs and into her arms...

====

“....ghost?”

“No he's not. If he was he would have been free days ago.” a distinctly feminine voice that sounded almost aristocratic.

“He does however possess higher than normal psi-factors. Perhaps a result of Imperial experimentation…”

If only they knew I did this to myself, I chuckled to myself.

“So what do we do with him?” A lighter female voice, this one sounded like it had much passion behind it.

“Destroy?” My blood ran cold. A 'brid. I opened my eyes and recognized my three assailants. A Spanish lady whose eyes had an eerie glow, a red-haired girl of rather minute stature, and the ‘brid, with glowing green eyes.

“He's awake,” the 'brid said evenly.

“Yes I'm awake you oversized beercan!” I struggled to my knees and leveled my gaze. “What do you want with me?” I barked. I was pissed. They attacked me for no reason, and they were consorting with the most hated creation in this universe. I could feel my anger boiling my blood. I could feel my control draining. This was weird. An unprecedented event. The short girl raised her eyebrows inquisitively. While the Hispanic lady stepped a bit forward.

“Be easy, we want nothing with you besides that you be gone. However we cannot let you leave so long as you know where we are. And we can't get into your memory.” The hell?

::Warning/alert temporal distortion occurring/happening::

I was free. I jumped towards the 'brid, fully intent on ending it. My scimitar was in my hand and I came with an overhead chop intent on splitting him in twain. My blade was stopped by a gauntleted hand. I looked and the short redhead was there a look of rage in her eyes. I kicked her in the chest and did a back flip, my blade spinning around me the entire time to discourage anyone getting close. I landed and my second blade appeared in my left hand.

::warning/alleeeerrrrtttttt…!#$!@#$:: A spark jumped off the side of my head and a small explosion blew out a small portion in the top of my skull. I staggered and fell to my knees crying out. The sound was unlike any I've ever emitted. It seemed to pierce through the walls.

====

Setting her violin down she regarded it for a moment. She sat it back in the case and closed the case. Standing she noted the time. It had been only two hours since she picked it up, but it felt like an eternity. A... 'satisfying' experience. She started walking over to her computer when she stopped cold in her tracks. Something was different. Someone was hurt. Looking around she didn't know how she knew this, or who it was… until she heard the scream. It was beyond hearing, but still she heard it, and exited her room, in search of the source.

====

I felt the wound, a clean blast. Right where I had installed the synaptic accelerator. Swearing I stood. However I felt lighter, almost powerful. I had a headache, and I was still pissed. I regarded the trio. The redhead looked uncertain, the other lady looked mortified, and the 'brid looked angry. He charged me and I began spinning my blades. He would strike, and I would parry. He overdid his attack and I flipped him into the wall. I did a quick back flip and charged the incapacitated 'brid. I heard someone yell something and I jumped off the wall above the 'brid instead and spun. My blade coming down at an angle meant to sever a head. The redhead was there. She was under my swing. I swore and attempted to compensate but it was too late. I saw her gauntleted fist fly towards my exposed ribs, a blow that would seriously injure or kill. Then I felt something. A movement perhaps. Whatever it was, the redhead's strike never landed. I looked over, and gasped. There she was. Estri. Bent over the redhead’s fist. The redhead pulled her hand back, and Estri fell to the floor, gasping pathetically for breath. I crawled over to her, my strength all but gone. When I reached her, I had a few tears in my eyes, and I picked up her head and cradled her.

“So here you are....”

I fainted.

====

When you are unconscious from injuries, your mind is in chaos. Spinning like a whirlwind. You think of everything, but not long, as the torrent of wind rips the thoughts away just as fast as they appeared.

I remember, long ago, a whip-wielding Squire-Cadet, who long ago insisted on coming to Mercury, where she vanished. What was her name?

Just as long ago, mere months later in fact, I remember a tender night by my tattered HERC, with a very special woman, Estri, her eyes shined like jewels that night...

My family being destroyed at the beginning of the Starsiege, a group of Cybrids looking for Trojan Horse candidates, and my ensuing rampage.

I sighed... How bad off are we?

No response... weird...

I remember seeing Estri off at the spaceport, as she was about to leave for Mercury. I remember it being crowded because there were about ten banshees for escort. A long kiss and a couple hugs from the other Knights and she was off into space, towards Mercury. Tears in my eyes, I returned to my HERC and the end of the war.

Estri, I found Estri, she saved me from a potentially deadly blow.

ESTRI! Oh my God!

I struggled for consciousness; I could feel people about me as I fought to awaken. I felt my adrenal gland kick into over-drive and I was up and moving across the room I was in, I felt many strings pulling at my arms, I yanked, and they came loose. Alarms and bells and whistles sounded but I reached my destination. Estri, sleeping soundly in a nearby bed, many medical things hooked up to her, and put my head on her breast, and felt her heart beat, ever so slowly. Sighing, happily I fell asleep, half kneeling, my head on her chest. My sleep this time... was peaceful...

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