Bio-Booster Armor Guyver is Copyrighted to Yoshiki Takaya and Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co in Japan and is trade marked to VIZ Communications Inc.. I am using the characters and ideas without permission but am not making any money from this. This fictional work does belong to me.
---
Text Key
:: :: Telepathic Conversation
# # Discussion that can be heard but not understood.
)) (( Radio communication
---
The Conquered
By Jade Tatsu
Chapter XV - Invulnerability
---
The Milne attack was a brutal savage attack on humans who had no thought to fight, who had fled Earth seeking refuge. The follow-up attack was a brutal savage ambush that resulted in the near total annihilation of the aggressors. At the time we didn't know what the grey and orange creatures were, but later questioning of prisoners revealed that despite their advanced technology they had not been sent by the Advents as had been initially thought. They were part of a mercenary orientated species for whom the technology to block Guyver Unit's was their best kept secret and one of their best selling points. What had led them to the haven planet Merrimu was a combination of luck, curiosity and desire. They had not been hired as such but their superiors had sent them. They were the first strike, designed to test our strength and thus to allow their superiors to set, what was to them, a reasonable price for any mercenary work to be conducted against us. It is amazingly brutal but it does make good economic sense. All that can be surmised from the lack of follow up attacks was that our price must have been set too high for any species needing to hire others to afford. Those species that could attack us, did not need to hire mercenaries.
We waited several weeks on Merrimu for more attacks but once Hope was repaired and further humans had been processed into Zoanoids, we had no excuses to wait. Our caution though had given the Advents time to consider their next move. I have previously stated that over five hundred million Zoanoids were taken from Earth and that we for the most part were only involved with the upper echelons in battle, that is not to say however that we were not involved with the more mundane. Against an enemy who is capable of fighting Zoanoids, Terran Guyvers especially, one to one odds are not favourable. 100 to one odds are much more likely to succeed through sheer dint of numbers if nothing else but that isn't what the Advents did. They were more than aware that throwing extra Zoanoids at Terrans simply meant more casualties however they were not above sacrificing their troops. They had used the time to strategically position Zoanoids throughout the galaxy and used the destruction of these small pockets of troops to track our movements.
We did, of course realise this was their tactic but we could not allow pockets of resistance to exist. However what we failed to realise was that this wasn't their entire plan. Fighting small pockets of Zoanoid troops was a hindrance and annoying more than it was tiring. And that was the Advent plan. Eventually one gets so used to seeing Zoanoids around that you ignore them, especially if they aren't interfering with your plans. This was to prove a very dangerous oversight on our part but equally it wasn't something we had total control over. We did not learn until later that the Zoanoid troops had been placed very strategically and they were placed with prior knowledge of our position. Something that should have been impossible because we had no prior knowledge of our travel plans. But the problems this caused would not come to a head for some time.
Instead there were greater problems coming from Earth and the first inkling of them came from a rebellion on a transport ship in the Ygdril sector. We received the distress call and responded. Responded in time to see the power of the Tekki.
---
"No! I refuse to believe that!" Shu Anh snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. "We haven't fought off the Advents just to be destroyed by what ever they are. We have to do something!"
"They aren't responding and don't know what they are. All we know is that they can fight us."
"What about if we tell them Terran's control this ship?"
"It's worth a try. Can we broadcast?"
"I think so... Try now."
))"This is Shu Anh Yi San of the Planet Terra to attacking forces. This ship is not under Advent control. I repeat this ship is not under Advent control."((
"Incoming message..."
))#"Skitnatnahsl..."#((
" What was that?"
Around the control room there were various gestures of confusion. "Darn it! We're not going to die just yet! Not when we've just got control... Any suggestions?"
"We're in a convoy still," one of the soldiers said, rubbing his temple, ignoring the blood that smeared over his face. "Could we stand down from fighting or move away, to distance ourselves from the Advents?"
Shu Anh, the nominal leader, the one who had brought them together for this rebellion against the Advent's, nodded. "Any other suggestions?" She paused, looking around but saw nothing to suggest that anyone had anything else. They were all tired but not yet ready to give up. "We can try but we only go defensive. I won't loose anyone unnecessarily. Broadband broadcast please... Maybe they understand us, even if we can't understand them..."
"You're up," the tech said after switching a few wires over.
The ship was pure biotechnology but in their rebellion they had ripped out several key parts that Maxwell's forces had indicated were the controlling systems of the ship. It had worked and for several long moments about an hour ago they had been dead in the water, no power, no control, nothing but dead flesh freezing in space, until they'd managed to jump start the animal again but this time with their controlling devices in place. The Advents were so arrogant; they never really screened those who were brought aboard their ships beyond checking that they had no obvious weapons. Computer parts were not weapons and had been smuggled aboard easily and then, they had fought. Terran Zoanoids had ripped apart the Advent Zoanoids who had been guarding the human prisoners and had destroyed those in processing. Regrettable perhaps but no trace of Advent's could be allowed to continue to exist. The plan had been to continue to blend with the convoy, slowly dropping back until they were the last ship before they slipped away entirely. Risky but at least they were free. From then, Shu Anh had part of the code to go to Merrimu, those holding the rest of the code would come forward once they were convinced they were truly free.
))"This is Shu Anh to our forces, defensive formations only. Don't provoke them. Keep close to the ship, we're going to put some distance between us and the convoy. We'll keep the comm channel's open, if anyone understands the lingo talk back, we have to tell them we're friends... Or at least that we're not Advents."((
))"Got it..."(( The space troops responded with one voice. They had been linked so that in combat they were near invincible, each one of them knowing what the others were doing and each one being able to respond to problems as they arose. Linking them was the only way to duplicate the effects of fighting under a Zoalord to ensure that they truly moved as a team.
Ponderously the ship broke away from the beleaguered Advent convoy but for the moment the aggressors were content to let it go. Shu Anh continued to broadcast despite the risk that the battling Advent Ships would attack them as well. ))"This is Shu Anh Yi San of the Planet Terra to the unknown forces attacking the Advent Convoy. The ship that is breaking away is under my control. This ship is not under Advent control and we will submit to what scans you require to prove that. I repeat, this is a free vessel..."(( She trailed off, looking around before speaking again. "No matter how long, or how short our freedom is we need to name this ship. Any suggestions?" She asked.
Around the control room there came tight smiles of satisfaction. They weren't out of trouble yet. In fact, with an unknown species attacking they might be in more trouble than ever before but they had already done the impossible fighting back Advent control on an Advent ship and no matter what happened now, they would be free.
" Freedom ?"
"No... One of the Ark 's is named that. We don't want to get confused."
" Deception Pays ?"
The suggestion brought a laugh but since at the moment deception was no longer protecting them the suggestion was not the most appropriate.
" Survival ?"
"Another one of the Arks... We should be able to come up with something original."
" Courage ."
" New Hope ."
" Ill Timed ."
"Pessimistically appropriate..."
"How about ' Iltimed Maxwell's Heist '?"
There was silence for a moment before quiet smiles graced the features of those in the room. "A bit of a mouthful but highly appropriate."
Shu Anh nodded. ))"This is the free vessel Iltimed Maxwell's Heist from the Planet Terra. We are not a part of the Advent Convoy. We rebelled against them. We are free and will submit to whatever scans you would like to verify this. We have no desire to fight you and as you can see we have taken up a defensive posture. Please respond..."((
))#"...Shiknashikata..."#((
"Anyone understand any of that?"
))"Not of that, Iltimed Maxwell's Heist but we heard your call. This is Segawa Tetsuro on board Eternity . Shu Anh, you've got reinforcements coming, just hold out for a little longer."((
Smiles brighter than the morning sun flashed around the control room. It appeared the Universe was full of friends.
))"We'll try to get further away from the convoy then."((
))"Can you give us a visual of your attackers?"((
Shu Anh turned towards the man who had taken over the technical aspects of their rebellion. "Can we?" She asked easily.
))"Sending now, Segawa. Open send, no encryption 'cos I don't know what systems you're running."((
))"Thanks,"(( Tetsuro's voice was calm as he accepted the files. Integrated as he was at the moment with Eternity , it wouldn't have mattered what encryption was on the send, it would only take him a couple of seconds to break it but it was best not to broadcast that fact to the universe.
))"That's..."(( Shizu's voice betrayed her surprise as she saw the image. ))"Those are Tekki forces,"(( she said quickly.
))"You know them?"(( The question came from the Soldier still on the bridge.
))"We've only seen them,"(( Tetsuro explained. "Where are you going?" He hissed at Shizu as she moved towards the exit.
"I'm not going to let Agito fly in on that. He needs warning!"
"So use your Guyver link."
"No," Shizu shook her head and continued forward. "There's something not right here."
Tetsuro merely rolled his eyes as she disappeared through the hull of the ship.
Around the Advent convoy the black shadows flitted, firing small discharges of energy almost seemingly at random but their shots were telling. Several Advent's had been hulled, the wounds burnt black before the oxygen had dispersed into space and the fire extinguished itself. Some were still moving, sluggishly pulling themselves through space as they sought refuge with the others who were still fighting. They were screaming their pain to all who could hear their mental cries but that wasn't stopping the Shadows.
The Iltimed was one of the few ships that appeared fully operational still. Her hull glowed with it's own light as she veered away, the biological engines straining as it sought for distance, her defensive Zoanoids flitting around her in easy patterns.
Some shadows were being destroyed by the Zoanoids. In fact for every Zoanoid destroyed a Shadow met it's end but the shadows were emerging from nowhere, literally forming from the inky blackness of space and for every one that was destroyed two more took it's place. The Advent Zoanoids could and were fighting well. They were just fighting a losing battle.
It remained that way until three small flashes of light announced the arrival of the Iltimed 's reinforcements. The three Guyvers took a moment to assess the situation, noting the position of the Iltimed and the other Advents before they surged forward, breaking apart.
::Only attack those Tekki forces that are attacking the Iltimed . The last thing we need now is a new enemy.::
::I know, Agito, I know,:: Aptom growled his response he began to orbit the Iltimed , striking at any shadow that came too close.
Sho took up a position amongst the Iltimed 's guarding Zoanoids and began to almost lazily slash at the shadows. His attacks, while serious were deliberately slow, designed more to ward off the attackers than destroy them.
After a few minutes most of the shadows had the idea and began steering clear of the guarded Advent vessel and Agito sighed. ::This is too easy.:: He'd long ago become accustomed to defeating Zoanoids with ease. Hyper-Zoanoids while more bothersome did not cause any particular problems and Zoalords were challenges that were few and far between, but with the Giga Unit and the proper mindset they shank into insignificance.
But yet, they had driven him from Earth. Their creators had returned to Earth and had once more laid out the challenge to him, so that they might be able to fight their own enemy. And for the moment he had lost their challenge and for what..? Their pride..? Despite everything that had happened, the Advents were not arrogant. They were sure of themselves but that came from long years of experience but they were not arrogant. Their ability..? The Advent's had no ability beyond their soldiers. Their enemy..? If these were the forces of the Tekki, then where was the overwhelming danger? He had been driven from Earth for nothing. They were nothing. They were less than nothing, they were Zoanoids and they were hardly worth his attention. But yet... These were what was behind everything that had driven him from his Empire. If one could measure one's strength by the strength of one's enemy's, then he was weak.
And that was making him angry.
He growled, deep and low in his throat and with no more warning than that, he surged forwards, through the defensive lines, targeting and destroying any shadow within range.
::Agito!:: Sho exclaimed, watching as the black Giga Guyver spun through the shadows, leaving destruction in his wake. ::No! We don't want them as enemies!::
::We don't want them as friends,:: Makishima returned without pausing.
::Don't provoke them!:: Fukamachi tried again, trying desperately to reason with him.
::No! Such weak creatures should not be so strong!:: Agito snarled back and Sho blinked, trying to work out what he meant.
Beneath his armor Aptom grinned, suddenly understanding the Emperor's logic. ::Fukamachi,:: he snapped through the link. ::Let him be.::
::But...::
::Let him be. You wouldn't understand.:: I hope you will never understand, he added silently as he came up behind Sho and placed one hand on his shoulder. ::He's just angry,:: Aptom sent to Sho privately.
::Why?::
The Guyver-Zoanoid shook his head.
::Fine, don't tell me!:: Aptom felt the sudden surge of resentment from Sho as the boy disappeared, re-appearing on the far side of the Iltimed , angrily blocking any further attempts at conversation.
::It will be...:: Aptom paused as his sensors flashed, picking up intruders. ::INCOMING!:: He screamed, relaying the image to everyone within reach and breaking his orbit of the Iltimed , moving to intercept.
Four Guyvers were fast approaching and they were powerful and not friendly. Not by the way they moved and the way the shadows melted out of their path. And not when all four of them radiated power equal to a Giga-Guyver. This was not going to be easy.
::Makishima,:: he heard Sho call to the other man as he felt the boy approaching behind him, moving to cover the Iltimed as well and Aptom hid a brief smile before he impacted with the incoming combatants. No matter how angry Fukamachi was, he always tried to look out for everyone, and in a battle that was life or death, where you did not fight alone, you needed partners like that.
The impact was incredible and the Zoanoid suppressed a hiss of annoyance as three of the Guyver's veered around him, continuing on. They needed Alkard here, just to even out the numbers, but they could not afford to leave Mirai and Eternity unguarded. He pulled back and shied right before closing with the Guyver again, watching their movements as he sought for weakness.
This was not good. Their armor was a deep purple, so deep as to almost appear midnight but the distinction was possible against the black of their lining. They were a GigaGuyver like himself and moved with the surety of a professional. If these guys were serious Makishima should be okay but Fukamachi could be in trouble. The boy was good but he still lacked the depth of experience necessary to take on all situations and these Guyvers movements screamed of competence. ::Careful,:: he broad sent the advice, risking a glance towards Fukamachi, who was trading blows with another Guyver, but seemed, for the moment to be holding his own, ::these guys are pro. Don't let your guard down.::
Aptom felt more than saw Fukamachi's guarded reply before his opponent closed with him again, launching a series of attacks designed to test his strength. From Agito he felt nothing but couldn't spare the attention to check on their black GigaGuyver Warrior.
---
Agito snarled in frustration as Fukamachi called him back. He didn't want the Shadows as his enemies. He didn't want them as his allies. He wanted them gone . And what cared he about provocation? Did no one consider that they had provoked the attack first? He almost thanked the Zoanoid when he felt him talking to Fukamachi. Almost but for the fact that the black hyper Zoanoid had dared to intimate that he understood. No one understood because no one could understand. But no one was going to stand in his way again. Never again would he be conquered by the illusion of strength.
He spun through space, the vibroblades on his Unit, flicking around him precisely, cutting through each shadow evenly. He was moving so fast that he was gone before the shadows knew they'd been struck. What was curious about them was the way they died. He could tell, the information relayed back to him from his blades, was telling him that they were bionoids. They had blood, he could feel it freezing on his elbows, gathered there by the flickering motion of his blades. They had lungs, at least he thought they were lungs but they could be merely voids within them allowing for the storing of gas. And they had hearts, from the way their internal liquids splashed out into space and the way some of them twitched while they were dying. But while they had all this, they did not die like anything he had ever experienced. Zoanoids, when killed in an oxygen rich environment sublimed, going from solid to gas in the space of minutes, leaving only a bio-organic residue. These creatures did much the same thing, but in a manner far more dangerous to combat. They combusted. Once damaged enough they hovered for a moment before they were consumed by flames and that disappeared into nothingness in space, leaving only a fine black ash that drifted silently. And that was a physical impossibility. No one would create a creature that could spontaneously combust and it should be evolutionarily impossible. It didn't make sense, unless they had some sort of mechanics embedded into them but he could feel no evidence of that.
Agito shook his head savagely, it didn't make sense, it wasn't important and idle speculation on how dangerous their combustion would be in atmosphere was not getting him anywhere closer to destroying them. He lined up several blasts from his head beam as he swung towards a new group of the leaf shaped shadows. These might be base level shock troops but he had been expecting something more from the legendary Tekki.
::INCOMING!:: He ignored the Zoanoids call until Fukamachi added his own plea.
Finally, he suppressed a tight smile as he turned his attention towards the warriors that had drawn Aptom and Sho's attention.
Guyvers.
GigaGuyvers.
Warriors who should have the strength to fight him.
Aptom clashed with one but the others by passed him continuing on. Fukamachi intercepted another and made a grab for a third but was blocked by the one he had initially clashed with. Fine , Agito thought, teleporting directly into the path of the remaining two, extending a barrier in space. They're mine.
The two Guyvers pulled up and he could sense narrowed eyes examining him. The first one, the larger one was pure black. Black armor over black lining. The only points of light were coming from the eye plates, control medallion and gravity globe although their shine was muted. The smaller one was a deep midnight blue, with black lining. The lines which usually traced their way over a Giga form were almost lost in the dark colouring.
Agito growled softly as he fell into a fighting stance. Speech was not necessary. Before him were finally some of the one's truly responsible for driving the Advents back to Earth and he intended to take his vengeance on them.
The larger one met his stance but the smaller one darted in front, making what Agito assumed were placating motions. His eyes narrowed as the midnight blue GigaGuyver fell into their own combat stance and the black Guyver relaxed, folding their arms across their chest. If this was the way they wanted to play it then he would accommodate them.
He looked closer at the midnight blue Guyver, his eyes tracing their outline carefully as his sensors registered their abilities. Around them the smaller shadows continued to attack the Advents but for the moment the Zoanoids guarding the Iltimed were adequate for protection. Biped, with a thin whip like tail, that was slowly undulating and had barbs made from Guyver armor on the tip. Their arms were longer than a humans, hanging to what he assumed were knee joints and Agito nodded to himself as he considered their reach. He'd almost describe them as spindly and if it was a human he was facing, he'd say that they were malnourished.
::She is an Oranmeira,:: his Unit informed him quietly. ::But she is not what I remember...:: His Unit trailed off as it relayed a picture to him, showing a Guyver with sky blue armor with a midnight blue lining.
::How did she change?:: He questioned, sensing that his Unit was holding back.
::I do not know. But... She should not be like this.:: It sent him another image, this time of the same Guyver Warrior but this time as a GigaGuyver Warrior. Her armor had changed but it was still the same sky blue, this time with geometrical and straight patterning covering it in midnight blue. ::This is what she should be.::
::What of the other one?:: Makishima asked, indicating towards the black Guyver the Oranmeira was deferring to.
::I can not say.::
::Why not?::
::He's blocking. And he is blocking any further information about the Oranmeira.::
::Blocking what?::
::Their connection to the whole. Master, I told you. We are whole now and we can all seek information from the whole where it has been volunteered. But information can be blocked by a suitably strong will. I have volunteered no information about you.::
Agito narrowed his eyes as he considered this new information. The fact that he knew nothing about her meant that he would have to be careful but it wouldn't stop him. ::Where do I aim?:: He asked the question.
His Unit responded by highlighting several points on her body.
::Good,:: Agito purred as he feinted right and closed the distance between them, feeling the purple highlights on his armor become alive. She responded by moving forward to meet his attack but the darker swirls on her armor remained still.
They met only for an instant before pulling back and striking from different angles but the instant was enough for Agito to know he had her covered. He was physically stronger and while her reach was greater he was just as fast. He let her make the next few attacks, assessing her skill and came away pleased. She was nothing special. This battle, he would win. And he would win it now.
Makishima closed his eyes, allowing his Unit to feed him information as he relaxed, feeling his highlights and blades realigning themselves in preparation. He breathed deep and held it, opening his eyes slowly and enjoying the feeling of power flowing through his limbs before he struck.
The motions were precise and no energy was wasted. Simultaneously he struck at all her highlighted weaknesses, driving his armored knuckles in deeply. His purple highlights blunted themselves and drove forward too, never leaving his body as they had done against the Jraewy. For a moment she hung in space, still, silent before she collapsed, her body relaxing, losing the tension it had with consciousness. Agito didn't relax as he pulled back, instead he maintained his fighting stance turning to the black GigaGuyver that she had attempted to cover.
::Careful,:: his Unit cautioned. ::This one is dangerous.::
The black GigaGuyver did not seem surprised at the stance. One inky tendril extended from his form, wrapping itself around the now unconscious Oranmeira before it disappeared, taking her form with it as the GigaGuyver unfolded their arms and brought his attention towards Agito.
::Makishima Agito, I presume?::
The question was quiet but Agito was warrior enough not to show a reaction, jerking his head down once in confirmation. ::And you are?::
He sensed the smile. ::My name is not important but I am the leader of those you hate equal to the Advents.::
Makishima hissed feeling his eyes widen as his logic was so calmly penetrated. ::Tekki.::
::Their Leader, yes.::
::Why are you here?:: Agito asked the question as he mentally prepared himself. He felt his Unit respond, tightening itself around him.
::You were destroying my soldiers.::
::You were attacking our ship,:: he retorted at the note of accusation.
::My forces were attacking Advents,:: the Tekki Leader responded mildly, more amused at the vehemence in Makishima's voice than worried. ::Come,:: he invited after a moment. ::You don't care about that ship, and I don't care about the losses. This isn't what we are both here for.::
::You are right,:: Agito said evenly. ::I was not expecting this opportunity so soon but I will take advantage of it.::
: :I think you'll find you are over matched, Emperor ,:: the Tekki murmured softly as he pulled back slightly. He held his arms out in supplication for a moment before Agito was almost felled by the force of the summons.
It was a voice that reached out to heavens and demanded respect. It cut through the darkest parts of hell and demanded obedience. It was a command that could not be denied and it was answered.
Around the black Guyver, tendrils, that were the black on black highlights that defined a Giga rose, whipping their way about their master before they shot outwards, breaking away from the Guyver completely and Agito gasped as they enlarged, becoming the leaf shaped shadows he had been fighting. He didn't have more than an instant to contemplate this new information as the black Guyver began to change. The Mega-Smasher units on his shoulders seemed to melt away, and several of his armor plates fused together as they altered their form with a liquid grace.
The bulk which accompanied the Guyver transformation vanished as his armor streamlined itself around him. Agito suppressed shivers. He'd seen this before, except last time it had been apricot armor that had moulded itself in such a manner.
"GuyLord," he whispered word as his sensors began cramming his brain with information and his instincts screamed at him to run. He clamped down on those feelings, angry with himself. I will not be defeated.
::Master?:: His Unit questioned him.
::I will not be defeated,:: he repeated to it firmly. This was the being responsible for driving him from Earth. He was not going to be defeated and he would not allow himself to be considered weaker, no matter what. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he began collecting power within. I will not be defeated .
::Master,:: his Unit purred deep in his mind responding to the energy he was gathering.
And that's when Agito felt it - pure power flowing through every cell. It strengthened him, it reinforced him and it consumed him as it became everything that he was. It was freedom and release, euphoric ambrosia that left him feeling replete. It was as if his eyes had been closed and now he had awakened. It was completion.
::And so you come of age,:: the Tekki said into his mind but it was muffled somehow and Agito could feel the protections that now surrounded him.
He brought his hand up and flexed his fingers, marvelling at how his armor reformed at his slightest thought. It moved with him, flowing around him with a streamlined grace that almost defied description. He was a GuyLord Warrior and he knew the power he had wielded as a GigaGuyver was nothing before the strength he could summon now.
He was complete.
---
Sho danced back, breathing heavily as his Unit healed a number of minor cuts on his arms. His opponent was fast, faster than any Zoanoid he had ever encountered but their attacks were simplistic. At least, he thought they were but it could be a limitation of their body type. He had never fought a true quadra-ped before so perhaps they were inexperienced at fighting a biped and that could explain the seeming simplicity of their attacks.
He shook his head, slightly bemused at his thoughts as they began to circle each other again, seeking an opening to attack. The Guyver feinted and Sho followed, zig-zagging back and forth in an intricate pattern designed to confuse. When the attack came he was ready, catching their claws easily with his vibroblades before he kicked, hard, into what should be their abdomen.
The kick served to drive the alien back, putting distance between them once more and Sho maintained his ready stance as they gathered themselves, shaking their head slowly.
: :What are you?::
Sho blinked at the question. ::Terran,:: he responded slowly, unsure of why they were asking. Surely they knew already.
::No... What are you? You look like a GigaGuyver Warrior but you're not! If you were, you'd be dead.::
::I don't... I don't understand.::
: :What are you?:: The alien snarled.
Sho blinked again. ::I am the GigaGuyver Warrior Fukamachi Sho of the Planet Terra,:: he began with as much dignity as he could muster, ::Betrothed to the GuyLord Healer, Segawa Mizuki...:: He stopped as the alien began shaking their head.
::No! You're not. You can't be!::
: :I can't be what ?:: Sho snapped, irritated at the rising note of panic he could detect from the alien. They had been fighting but neither had clear superiority so what was it worried about?
::You cannot be a GigaGuyver. I am the Guy Lord Warrior Heborae of the Planet Y'sae, Servant of the Tekki and you should be nothing before me. ::
Fukamachi frowned, for an instant not understanding until he extended his senses, allowing himself to feel the crushing presence of Heborae. He could feel it, much the way he could feel Zoalords presence but he was abstracted from that power and he began to understand the aliens concern. He could feel them, almost as if he in atmosphere, he could sense their presence. He could tell now that Heborae was female and that she was fiercely proud of her strength and that she alone of all her kind had this much power as a Guyver and he could feel that power but was somehow not concerned by it. ::I really...:: He would have said more but at that moment, two presences he could feel exploded through his senses with sudden, ferocious force.
::Master!:: Heborae seemed surprised but pleased as they spun towards the beings.
::Agito?:: Sho questioned uncertainly as he turned, bringing his mental defences back up. Even with his defences in position he could still feel them. They were both radiating power and he could swear that the few remaining Advents were shying away from them.
Even Aptom and his opponent had broken apart and were now staring at the two black beings. Sho wondered where the fourth enemy Guyver had gone but was promptly informed by his Unit that Makishima had defeated them.
He nodded as he examined the two beings that had appeared before them, moving further away from Heborae just in case the alien decided to launch an attack while he was relatively unguarded. They both had streamlined black armor but were easily distinguishable from each other by the reddish-purple lining that underlay Makishima's armor plates. The highlights that had regally defined Agito's Giga armor had narrowed themselves and now lined the edge of each plate, reinforcing it and providing seamless integration into his lining. Both sets of black armor had lost the bulk that accompanied a Giga transformation. It was as if the awkwardness of a regular Guyver transformation had been smoothed away and the power of a Giga had been expanded to create them. The armor was smooth, streamlined and screamed of contained power. Sho looked carefully, cataloguing their weapons and defences. Head beam, vibroblades, pressure cannon and sonic barrier were still present. Sensors were better protected but still present but Sho frowned as he looked further. All the standard attack and defensive features of a Guyvers armor were still recognisable, even its main weakness, the exposed control medallion was still prominent on the forehead of the two before him but he couldn't detect the focusing lenses for the MegaSmasher. That didn't make sense. It was the singular most destructive weapon of a Guyver and the penultimate form would not, could not lack it.
::It's there,:: his Unit informed him softly, ::but it's entire functionality has changed.::
::It's become something else?::
::No, it's structure has changed completely. It's more advanced but I'd have to see it to be able to assess it fully.::
Sho nodded. ::It's not like they need it,:: he said softly. Both GuyLords radiated power and he doubted that anyone would want to fight them. They felt overwhelming but they both felt... familiar.
He shook his head. That wasn't possible. Agito felt familiar because he was used to the man, used to the power Agito could harness and what that felt like. The other... The power flows were similar leading to the feeling of familiarity. He grinned at his own assumptions before holding his breath as the two of them clashed.
---
In the vacuum of space, no noise travels because there are no atoms to transmit the energy. So should it be for the shock of impact. But where the two beings are so powerful, the laws of physics obey them, rather than the rules they had previously obeyed.
A sphere of pure force ricocheted outwards from the two GuyLord Warriors, driving everything but those who had the power to resist it, backwards.
In its wake there was only clear space and two realisations. One, either GuyLord could destroy any known civilisation without too much effort and two, Agito was vastly over powered.
The jet black Guyver had met Makishima's attack easily, countering with his own that had left long gashes all over Agito's armor, gashes through which thick red blood was welling freely, while his own armor showed no evidence of damage despite the ferocity of their clash.
Agito pulled back, forcing his body to move freely as he dodged the follow up attacks although his pain was evident in a listing left side and the way that he was using energy spreads instead of motion to avoid the attacks.
::Makishima!:: Sho called as he moved to aide, not sure what he could do against such power but knowing he had to help, no matter what but he was pulled up short as Heborae darted into his path, eye plates glowing.
He didn't even think. He was not about to let this happen again. Gyro had done it to Murakami, all Zoanoids did to those forms weaker than themselves but he was not about to let a Guyver dominate another. ::Get out of my way!:: Sho screamed the warning at the ?colour guyver before he slammed into her.
::No! You will not attack my Master!::
They exchanged a flurry of blows, each ignoring the damage the other was doing. ::Get out of my way,:: Sho snarled again, as he caught Heborae's claws and kicked at the Guyver, aiming at the spot he had hit before. This time though, he didn't release Heborae into space, but instead held her firm and kicked again, putting all his strength into the blows. Sho could feel the damage he was doing but the Y'sae Guyver was grimly determined and even after Fukamachi released Heborae's fore limbs, the green Guyver maintained her position, blocking his path, despite the blood that was dripping though her face mask.
::You will... not... attack my Master...:: The telepathic communication was broken by bursts of pain but it was clear. As Heborae spoke the black swirls that covered her armor rose, spreading themselves around their Mistress like a giant net, or on great spider's web with the wounded GuyLord in the centre. : :You may not pass.:: Heborae's eye plates flashed with determination.
Sho hissed as he realised he was blocked before he began gathering his power. He was not going to stand by and watch helplessly again. This was not how Guyver's should be.
::No!:: Heborae snarled as she realised Fukamachi was gathering power to strike at her. She clenched her claws, closing the net, ignoring the pain as Sho struggled against the whip like tendrils that wrapped around him. For every one that he ripped free from, two more seemed to take its place as Heborae began pouring her entire being into maintaining her grip.
: : Let go!:: The demand was almost an attack.
::No.::
::Let go,:: he screamed again, as his own blue highlights came alive and intertwined themselves through her net, pulling the connections away from her in an effort to break its entirety.
But Heborae was determined and she had only to delay him to win.
::No!:: Sho screamed as his sensors focused on Agito informing him of the man's condition.
After their initial clash, Makishima had been on the defensive, allowing his Unit to heal his wounds. The jet GuyLord had seemed content to allow Agito to recover, attacking but never pushing his attacks with the blinding power he was obviously capable of. It was only once Agito had almost recovered and was moving more freely that he began pushing his attacks, almost crippling the black and purple GuyLord with each pass. It was not a battle. It was not even a one sided fight. It was simply sickening play and if it continued Agito would pay the price.
Help us! It was not a conscious command, not even conscious thought but it was something Sho felt with his entire being, casting it out to whom ever could respond. He vaguely felt a response but it was too far away and tangled as he was in Heborae's net, there was nothing he could do to help Makishima. Even Aptom was had resumed trading blows with his opponent and their battle was so fierce that neither side could afford to look away.
::No!:: Sho screamed, ripping away from Heborae by sheer force of will when he saw the jet GuyLord moving in what was undoubtedly a final attack.
Agito had been driven back, his arms raised feebly in defence before, in spite of being in space, he stumbled, failing weakly as he curled around himself, seeking to protect the more vulnerable areas of his body. The black GuyLord had paused then, pulling back his slashing attacks and gathering himself. Around him, black motes of power began collecting, condensing within his hands, forming balls of energy so dark that they were easily seen against the velvet backdrop of space. His eye plates glowed softly, their pearly iridescence throwing a fuzzy light over Makishima's defenceless form.
::I am sorry it had to come to this, Emperor of Terra.:: The words were quiet and full of genuine regret but there was no hesitation in the jet GuyLord's movements.
::No!:: Sho screamed again as a determined thread of Heborae's web, caught him again, wrapping its way around his leg and holding him firm. There was nothing he could do for Agito.
There was nothing he could do but as the black energy was sent against Makishima a grey energy coalesced in its path, absorbing the attack before it expanded and dulled, resolving itself into the grey and purple GuyLord Engineer form of Makishima Shizu.
The Empress was angry. That much was immediately obvious but she was sensible and did not strike against the black GuyLord Warrior who had so easily defeated her husband. Instead she held her defences, two purple highlights blocking every slash he sent towards them. Her grey energy shield caught the small buffets of energy as her eyes flashed red. After a few moments, once it became apparent that she wasn't going to move and that her defences were equal to the task, Shizu looked up at the jet GuyLord, ::You cannot have him.::
::You will protect him?::
Shizu inclined her head briefly in affirmation. ::For all time.::
::And what of his mission?::
Shizu shook her head. ::I will protect him,:: she repeated, the glow from her eye plates intensifying as she strengthened the shield in preparation for an attack. A feeling had driven her from Eternity , a feeling that they were not ready and that feeling had only intensified as she had approached. Then she had felt it, Agito's ascension and she had felt his absolute joy. Joy that had quickly turned to pain when it became obvious that the jet GuyLord was superior. They'd spoken, as Agito had retreated, she had felt his conversation with his assailant but neither had broadcast that to the universe and so the only measure of the battle she had was the rising sense of distress she could feel from her husband and Fukamachi's broad sent denials.
But when the final attack had come, she didn't need Sho's scream, or the GuyLord's quiet regret, it was the unspoken resignation in Agito's voice as he had reached out to her that had been the catalyst for her actions. She didn't remember anything except the enormous up welling of power and looking up, through glowing eyes into the face of the black GuyLord Warrior in defiance as another part of her wrapped itself protectively around Agito, cushioning his wounds but unable to heal them.
::Who will protect them?:: The black GuyLord pointed towards the only remaining Advent and it's escort of Zoanoids, the Iltimed Maxwell's Heist .
The Zoanoids were still fighting off the leaf shaped shadows but as the jet GuyLord pointed, more shadows materialised from space, converging on the ship.
Shizu nodded, acknowledging the attack. ::I will protect him,:: she said once more before turning away from the Advent, focusing her attention on the GuyLord Warrior.
Sho continued to struggle against Heborae but despite firing several blasts from his head beam into her, at almost point blank range, she maintained her grip, refusing to allow him to interfere. He snarled before he turned away, casting a gravity shield between them to stop any energy attack she may yet have the strength to raise as he turned towards the Iltimed , concentrating hard as he focused his weapons, lining them up for long range sniping at the Shadows. He fired off three gravity blasts and five shots from his Head beam before Heborae wrenched him out of position and several more shots went wide. He didn't even look back at her as he lashed out with his free leg, lining his Head Beam back up from his new position and firing again.
His shots were true. Guyver Units are accurate in atmosphere, no matter the interference but they were made for space, and with each shot that he fired a leaf shadow was destroyed. Most of them didn't even see the blast coming and any who did didn't have time to dodge.
But no matter how many he and the Zoanoids protecting the Iltimed destroyed, more seemed to materialise coming so fast that they almost seemed to be figments of his imagination.
The damage was real though. The Iltimed 's hull had long black scorches, criss-crossing it in a haphazard pattern and Sho could detect several small hull breaches. He could almost hear the air hissing out into space but he could also sense the life forms still aboard.
He fired a several gravity globes at a small cluster of shadows, obliterating them before they could attack before he was forced to dodge, the warning flashing across his sensors an instant before the attack. Sho snarled, swinging back around to line up the shot on his attacker before he froze, literally control medallion to control medallion with the jet GuyLord and painfully aware of how exposed he was.
::Stop that!::
Sho started at the almost playful tone. : : You stop that!:: He retorted, wincing as he sensed a particularly large attack land on the Iltimed , an attack he could have prevented.
::Fukamachi... careful... that's... that's the Tekki,:: Agito's voice was weak as he relayed the warning.
Sho felt his eyes widen in recognition of the name but he was proud that no other reaction was evident although now that he was face to face with the being who had felled Agito, he began to appreciate just how strong the jet GuyLord was. Overwhelming though it had been, he had only been able to sense so much from a distance. His Unit was now relaying a further wealth of information directly into his mind, whispering all along that he could not allow this confrontation to escalate past talking.
::I don't think I will.::
Sho could sense the amused smile of the Tekki and knew that the response had been designed to provoke him, so it was through clenched teeth that he responded. : :That ship is not an Advent.:: He gasped as several life signs on board the Iltimed disappeared. Hull breach, and they hadn't been quick enough to close it but at least the dead had been killed in the explosion, not through spacing. ::And it's crew and passengers aren't Advent made Zoanoids.::
::I know... But they are.::
Sho looked over to where the Tekki indicated, consciously refocusing his eyes. In the distance there were two beings he recognised as Zoalords once he extended his senses.
"Zektoll..." he breathed as the man's human features came into sharp relief. The other was in battle form and he didn't recognise them.
::So that is Zektoll?:: the Tekki questioned Sho without exerting force. ::Thank you. The other is Ishiikawa Toki.::
::Any particular power?:: Sho asked the question almost in reflex feeling that with the appearance of these Zoalords the GuyLord had lost almost all interest in the Terrans.
::Oh yes. A very particular power,:: the jet GuyLord responded but said no more as he backed away from Fukamachi, turning slightly to face the Zoalords, his eyes glowing in challenge.
Sho looked again at the Zoalord. What did it mean that the Tekki knew the other Zoalord but did not recognise Zektoll? Or was it that he just did not recognise Zektoll's human form? Sho shook his head. No, that wasn't the case. The Tekki knew Tokil somehow.
The Zoalord in question was slim, and sprouting from his back were spines, arrayed around his body as a circular disk. They shimmered and their colour changed as Fukamachi watched. The Zoalord retained the biped nature of a human but it was elongated. His head was long and thin, with two narrow pupiless slits for eyes and two open veins that disappeared internally forming a structureless nose. Four curved fangs extended from his mouth, two down and two up almost like some vampire or werewolf. Crystals were imbedded in his body at precise locations, their patterns ending in something that almost looked like a flower in the centre of his chest. Six lense shaped crystals were arranged in a circle around a seventh spherical crystal. They didn't touch it or each other and they pulsed with his heartbeat.
Sho blinked. The Zoalord wavered. He was standing still but he wavered, almost as if he was standing in heat haze. Fukamachi pulled his eyes away as the Tekki growled, the sound echoing through his mind as the jet GuyLord's hands curled into claws, gravity globes materialising.
::Do not!:: The warning was snarled with particular force and the heat haze that surrounded Ishiikawa disappeared.
The Zoalord shrugged as the Tekki let the gravity globes fade and Sho sensed the shift in attention even as he felt it.
The Iltimed ...
With wide eyes he spun around to see the stricken vessel. The black leaf shaped shadows were scattering. He could see the internal energy of the ship was rising. Fast. Too fast.
"No..." he whispered, realising their plan.
There was a burst of scrambled static over the radio frequencies but then it resolved itself into a firm, proud voice. ))"We will not be defeated."((
"No!" Sho screamed, raising his hand in denial as one hundred plans for saving the Iltimed flashed through his mind and disappeared into nothingness as the blackened hull glowed and liquid fire burst out into space as the whole ship was consumed. As one, the Zoanoid guards turned and flew into the burning mass, going down with their ship, heedless of the chance for rescue.
The Iltimed didn't burn long and mercifully all life signs disappeared long before the fires. Once the oxygen was consumed, the fires went out save for a few small pockets of flame that were eating the last of their fuel, thin snakes of flame whipping around wildly before they died.
The silence was incredible. The Tekki had lost his amused air and had watched the destruction with grim admiration that only partially hid his surprise. Heborae had released Sho as she had turned towards the explosion and while he didn't really care for any reaction she gave, he could tell she was stunned at the path they had chosen. The two Zoalords remained stoic, the flickering of Zektoll's eyes betrayed his annoyance but he made no further gesture. Shizu and Agito had contemplated it in silence and even Aptom and his opponent had turned towards the destruction, forgetting their own battle.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the Tekki turned towards Fukamachi, bowing slightly. ::This day to you,:: he said solemnly, no trace of mockery evident, before he gestured at his two companions and with the barest flick of power disappeared.
::Indeed.:: Sho recognised Zektoll's voice in his mind as the Advent-made Zoalord projected his thoughts. ::This day to those dumb enough to die. We will return.:: His eyes burned briefly as he and his companion followed the Tekki's example and teleported away.
Sho collapsed, feeling his Giga armor peel back. Solitude... It was as if a vast weight had been lifted from him and his sensors quietly informed him that he wasn't the only one feeling this relief. Aptom had similarly shed his armor and Shizu had let her energy barrier fade, turning now to protectively cradle her husband in her arms as his armor slowly reformed itself, closing his wounds.
He breathed deeply calming his nerves that were still racing from the encounter. Did the Giga Unit feel that over powering to other Guyvers?
::Yes...:: the whisper came from his Unit but it refused to speak further. At least now I know what it feels like to be a Ramotiths , he thought with an unusual quirk to his tone, shuddering as he remembered the power. ::Shizu..?:: Sho eventually reached out to the Empress carefully.
::Fukamachi?::
::Is Agito okay?::
::He will be,:: she responded after a moments consultation with her husband.
::Aptom,:: Sho turned his attention to the Zoanoid, knowing that Shizu would ensure that Agito healed properly and that right now Makishima wouldn't want to talk to him, ::any problems?::
::No. The stupid bitch was good enough to delay me but not good enough to kill me,:: he broad sent the reply before limiting his communications to Fukamachi. ::Will Makishima recover?::
Sho glanced towards Agito as he considered Aptom's question. ::I think so,:: he sent privately. ::I'm not sure though. I don't know what he discussed with the Tekki but he should be. It's not like we haven't come up against tough opponents before.::
::I know,:: Aptom agreed easily. ::But it has been years since either you or Agito has had significant opposition and he is not likely to take it well.::
Sho sighed, unsure what to say. It was true but it was something Makishima was going to have to work through for himself both physically and mentally. ::Why did they do that?:: He asked suddenly, changing the subject.
::Because we were attacking.::
::Not the Tekki. Why did the Iltimed destroy itself?::
::Because they swore an oath that one way or another they would be free,:: Tetsuro joined the conversation as Eternity and Mirai came into visual range.
::It wasn't your fault,:: Mizuki said quietly to Sho as she emerged from Mirai with Alkard in close attendance. Now that they knew their ships were actually Advents they had dispensed with the fiction that they needed pilots although they still welcomed interaction with their Terrans.
::We should have saved them.:: Sho responded.
Mizuki gave him a mental caress, saying without words that the final choice had not been his as she moved towards Agito. Shizu nodded towards her but did not move as Mizuki's armor extended itself, latching on to Agito's, merging with it slightly as she began to replenish his strength, healing the wounds his Unit had not yet begun to attend to. Sho sighed at the sight. Despite the violence that had caused the wounds, Mizuki looked peaceful as she worked. The imperial blue markings that covered her armor realigned themselves, condensing at the points of contact with Agito before fading away into the apricot that formed the main plates of her armor. She was beautiful. Sho cocked his head as he suddenly wondered if the markings would reverse their pattern if she were treating a lighter coloured Guyver.
::Yes...:: His Unit whispered.
::Huh?::
::The patterns would reverse,:: his Unit repeated its answer. ::Colouring is an indication of purpose and there are only four of us that have the same colouring. The patterns are an indication of desire or of intent.::
::Fukamachi!:: Agito snapped, interrupting the questions that Sho had been about to ask his Unit. ::Stop drooling over Segawa and pay attention!::
The blue Guyver looked over at Makishima. The black Guyver was whole and was glaring at him with more than a hint of impatience, the purple highlights of his Giga armor swirling frenetically. Mizuki hovered to the side, her highlights were spread evenly now and were tranquil.
::...As I was saying ,:: Makishima began testily. ::We have to know what is happening. Despite the fact that the Advents are obviously producing more Zoalords, we have to know what is happening on Earth and we have to know now. Maxwell is endangering everything!::
::All right, so we go to Earth,:: Aptom drawled, ::but the question of the Zoalords does not diminish.::
::Humph! Well it was Zektoll and an unknown. How dangerous can it be?:: Agito scoffed.
: :His name is Ishiikawa Toki,:: Sho said, ::and since the Tekki knew him and not Zektoll, I'd say he is very dangerous.::
::Anything else you know?:: Aptom asked before Makishima could snarl.
Sho shook his head. ::No. The Tekki didn't tell me anything more than his name but I do know the Tekki wasn't playing when he warned off the attack.::
::So we add them to the list of things we try to avoid.::
::We have a list?:: The jibe was light-hearted, an attempt to lift the mood but by the clenching of Agito's fits, he wasn't in any mood for frivolity.
::Yes, we have a list,:: Tetsuro continued after making a mental note to ask his sister about Agito's mental state. Being beaten so easily was obviously not sitting well with the black Guyver but they could not afford to have him acting without thought. However, his list was sound and no matter how upset Agito was, he had to face reality. ::One, the Tekki - We should avoid further confrontations with them. At least for the moment,:: Tetsuro added the clarification, knowing the Emperor's pride would accept nothing less and for the moment he was willing to accommodate it. Besides, from the events of today at some point they were going to have to either make peace with the Tekki or learn to fight an enemy who seemed more than capable of killing them. It was not a good choice. ::Two, Advents - until we get allies, help, whatever, we could destroy Advents until the stars burn out and it will not achieve anything. We have to know more about their goals so for now we must avoid all out confrontations, unless we have the information we need. And three, Zoalords - If the Tekki knew of this new one, then I can only imagine the power he wields and we must therefore be careful not to be caught in an Advent trap. We have to know more.::
::And the only way we are going to learn more is by returning to Earth.::
::So let's go!::
---
::Bithrinyataran!:: The Tekki broad sent the call as he strode back into his sanctum.
::I'm with Iythry, my Lord, do you need me?::
::No, I don't. I was checking that she'd gotten back safely.::
::If you call being beaten to a pulp safely, then she's fine, although her sister's hysterical, I don't know how long I'll be able to keep Iythra here. What happened?:: The GigaGuyver Healer asked.
:: Don't worry about Iythra, if she gets away, she gets away. I'll just recapture her later. There's only one place she can run. As for Iythry, she had a run in with the GuyLord Makishima.::
::Oh... I take it he had a run in with you after that?::
::Of course.::
::Is he alive?::
::He should be. His wife interfered and the GuyLord Healer Mizuki was on hand to heal him.::
::Ah...:: 'Nyataran let the matter drop as he returned his attention to his patient, sensing a combination of satisfaction and frustration coming from his Master. The Tekki knew the future. He knew what events had to happen but there were times when he was frustrated by those events, individuals and their actions who refused to listen to his plan and refused to change for him, no matter how much it would benefit the universe. It was a pain the Artamon was glad he did not have to bear.
"They fought you, didn't they?" Imakarum stepped out of the shadows, pushing his omnipresent sunglasses on more securely.
"Yes. They are very strong," the Tekki responded turning towards the Zoalord. "But they do not yet know their true strength."
Mirabilis raised one eyebrow in a questioning manner before he gestured towards Heborae. "Truly?"
The Tekki glanced over at the Y'saen Guyver who was still spitting blood. "Ah... Heborae, go and see Bithrinyataran."
"No, my Lord... My Unit healed me. I am fine."
The black guyver shook his head. "Your Unit healed you . Go and see Bithrinyataran. Tallowa, you too. The last thing I need now is any of my followers to be injured."
The two warriors nodded and left, leaving their master alone with the Zoalord.
"I always wondered about that," Imakarum said, once they were alone, "but since we never had any female Guyvers we could never check."
The Tekki nodded. "It's too late already but she will need the tissue expelled. 'Nyataran is the best for that, even if she doesn't yet know about it."
"So who did it?"
"Fukamachi."
"What? He's only a Giga!"
"And Heborae is not a very powerful Lord. I told you, Imakarum, they are very strong but they are unknowing of their power. In the future, Makishima and I could fight forever and unless one of us made a catastrophic mistake, we would never know the outcome. We fought for a week once... I don't even know what it was about anymore..." The Tekki sighed nostalgically, ignoring the look Mirabilis directed at him, clearly questioning his claim that he had forgotten. He never forgot anything. "At the moment though, he is still new, powerful and a natural at wielding that power but still new and I can crush him easily enough. If we were to fight as Giga's though, that would have been a different matter."
"That still doesn't explain Heborae."
"It does," the Tekki objected mildly. "Heborae knows next to nothing about her power. She only knows about it because I told her. She is a child, playing with things she does not understand. On the other hand, Fukamachi is very good and when he fights without thought and allows his Unit to guide him, it makes him even better. She could not counter that and now she pays the price for her arrogant assumption that a Lord will always win over another." He shrugged. "Perhaps next time she will have better luck."
He suddenly looked pensive. "How long..." he began softly, a slight frown on his brow before he continued. "How long does a human live for, Imakarum?"
The white Zoalord looked confused but answered anyway. "It varies."
"Roughly then."
"A Zoalord is nearly immortal, a Guyver the same. A Zoanoid can live indefinitely with reprocessing very couple of decades... It varies."
"No... An unaltered human... How long do they live for?"
Mirabilis nodded, still not understanding why Tsuyosa was asking but at least now knowing the answer. "About seventy to eighty years... More or less depending on their health, nutrition, lifestyle, disease... But about that long baring accidents."
The Tekki remained silent, looking down at the floor, his eyes hooded and Imakarum took a moment to study the man Lord Alkanphel had sent him to. He had no main distinguishing feature... Like his namesake, his hair was a dusty brown, worn in gentle waves and tied at the nap by a piece of leather. His eyes were the same brown and his face was plain. It was a little rough and sported stubble but his characteristics weren't the rough hewn, coarse features of an early human. He'd been created at a time when the Advents had advanced human evolution. He could walk through any human gathering and not be given a second glance, save for the supreme aura of confidence... but even that was diminished at the moment.
"So why would they do that?" Tsuyosa whispered to himself.
"Do what, my Lord?" Imakarum asked equally softly.
"They killed themselves... I don't know how but they'd broken free from the convoy and from what I could see of the Advent, they'd killed it while keeping the body alive and then they went and killed themselves. With lives so short, wouldn't you struggle to live for as long as possible? Why would they voluntarily kill themselves?"
The white Zoalord looked on silently. He knew the answer but it wasn't anything that could be explained easily. When he had been Murakami he would have died in an instant if it meant he could take out either Gyro or Valkus... He knew what it meant to be willing to die for an ideal... or for a belief. "Did they say anything?"
Tsuyosa nodded. "'We will not be defeated.'"
"Ah..."
"You understand?"
"We will be free," Mirabilis translated the statement. "They died because they would not be captured again, by either you or the Advents and they killed themselves because if they were to be destroyed then it would be at a time of their own choosing. No one would hold power over them again."
"Wasted then..." Tsuyosa shook his head... "Even if someone holds power over you, you can always run, or betray them. There is always the possibility of freedom if you live but once you die... Wasted..."
"The freedom to die, to refuse everyone all power over you is the greatest freedom of all."
"The greatest waste of all."
"Will you die to kill the Guyver Emperor?" Mirabilis asked suddenly.
"Only if all other avenues are exhausted, and only if I am sure I will kill him with my death," the jet GuyLord answered easily.
"It's a bit abstract but those humans died for the same reason. They were sure all their other avenues were gone and that for them to be free, that was the only path and for them, their greatest desire was freedom... Not servitude, nor life... Freedom... To live or die as they saw fit."
"I understand now, Imakarum but I will always think it was a waste."
Mirabilis nodded. "I do not think you will be alone."
"I know I won't be alone." Tsuyosa turned away, his eyes hooded as he looked at nothing, considering the waste he had seen today. "I won't be alone," he repeated softly as Imakarum bowed and left him to his thoughts.
---
And that was the auspicious beginning to our turbulent relationship with the Tekki, a relationship that would develop differently for each Guyver - Sho into friendship, Agito into grudging admiration, Tetsuro into scientific curiosity, Aptom into understanding - until the final enmity that would open an irrevocable chasm between us.
In the wake of the encounter we did what any one would, sought comfort from our home world. A home world that was ripped apart by war and covered with Advents.
Still the first sight of our blue and white orb, nestled against the velvet backdrop was something I will always remember as uplifting. We had come home, not yet as promised, with the allies to drive away the Advents, but we returned as warriors more powerful than we had left and that in itself was comforting.
Our trip to Earth was also beneficial. We learnt what Maxwell had been doing... You would think that the man would have been busy enough just protecting and arranging evacuation from Earth, especially after his Ark plan was destroyed by the Advents... but no... He bided his time and when the Advents crushed one plan he simply moved on to the next... At that time the most wanted on the Advent 'Kill List' was not any Terran Guyver, not the Tekki but was one unaltered human, Maxwell Sanchez.
And it was Maxwell Sanchez who put us on the path to recognising the power of the Zoalord Ishiikawa Toki.
---
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Chapter XVI - The Earth Resistance - What happens on Earth and what is the power of the new Zoalord?
Does anyone have volume 21? 'Cause I don't yet, and I'd really like to know if it exists. Volume 20, predictably enough ended on a cliff hanger. Evil Aptom attacking Sho and Hayami and I swear Gyro was back!
Note: For anyone wondering Aptom was fighting Tallowa. Let's see, some information about the new alien Guyvers' that I have made up.
Alkard of Shadow Male GigaGuyver Warrior, loyal to Mizuki. Species: Wesodin from the planet Yarrunga. Colour: Guyver: Red with dark red lining GigaGuyver: Red with blue lining and swirls.
Tallowa Female GigaGuyver Warrior, loyal to Yisuvac who is loyal to the Tekki. Species: Mangoran from the planet Mangora. Colour: Guyver: Purple with black lining GigaGuyver: Purple with black lining and swirls.
Yisuvac (so far only mentioned not seen) Male GuyLord Engineer, loyal to Tekki. Species: B'ngu from the planet SV. Colour: Guyver: Originally dark green with pink lining, Tekki altered this to dark green with black lining GigaLord: dark green with black lining and swirls.
Heborae Female GuyLord Warrior, loyal to the Tekki. Species: Ikuman from the planet Y'sae. Colour: Guyver: Green with tan lining GigaGuyver: Green with tan lining and black swirls GuyLord: dark green with tan lining and black swirls
Iythry Habasia Female GigaGuyver Warrior, loyal to the Tekki. Species: Oranmeira from the planet Oranmeir. Colour: Guyver: blue with olive lining GigaGuyver: Navy with black lining and swirls.
Iythra Habasia Female GigaGuyver Engineer, loyal to the Emperor. Species: Oranmeira from the planet Oranmeir. Colour: Guyver: blue with silica lining GigaGuyver: blue with silica lining and swirls
Bithrinyataran Androgenous GigaGuyver Healer, loyal to the Tekki. Species: Artamon (no planet). Colour: Guyver: marron with black lining GigaGuyver: marron with black lining and swirls.
Tsuyosa Fukamachi (Tekki) Male GuyLord Warrior. Species: Human. Colour: All forms: Black with black lining and swirls.
I really hope I'm keeping everything straight when I write... I have a horrible feeling I've called Tallowa an Oranmeira before... sigh.