By Charles Drake.

Dream 5, When Gods whisper and Angels weep

"I've been working on a new proto-type lately," Nikira stated, leading Alita into a room labeled 'Suit-Lockers.' Within stood nearly twenty large lockers with electronic readouts set into them. Nikira walked past them, taking Alita through a door at the back of the room. Within was a small lab. Three more lockers lined one wall, one of them hanging open. A black Hardsuit sat there, leads from a nearby console attached at various unlikely angles. Around the rest of the room lay spare parts, crumpled papers, and a multitude of other such clutter. It reminded Alita vaguely of Ido's old lab, the one where he kept the Berzerker before she'd had need of it.

"The Mark Three," Nikira announced, gesturing to the ebony suit, "And it's all yours, if you want it."

"It's beautiful," Alita murmured, stepping forward to stroke the cold metal. Soft... almost slippery... slightly yielding; it felt like leather. The armour seemed utterly seamless, more like a statue of some faceless figure than a Hardsuit. The visor was slightly thinner than Nikira's Mark 2, making the blank face almost seem as if it was glaring at some unfortunate victim.

"The outer armour is partially organic," Nikira informed her, moving to dis-attach the Suit from its moorings, "Just like our muscle tissue. It coats the Lyte-Alloy plate armour beneath so an enemy can't tell where the joints are. The servos are a new design too, smaller than the other ones I use. Also, I'm testing a few new weapons in this one."

"This... this is too much," Alita demurred, stepping back, "You wear it. I'll be fine without it." Alita started to step away, but Nikira caught her by the shoulder.

"Just try it on for me, Lita," Nikira requested, "Don't turn it down till you fly it. If you do that, and still ask me to fly it, I will. Okay?"

"Um, sure," Alita said, startled by Nikira's request. Alita pulled off her T-shirt and Jeans, which she suddenly realized had been washed for her. Folding them neatly in a pile, Alita proceeded to don the Catsuit which Nikira provided. Once that was properly situated, Alita approached the Hardsuit.

Nikira pressed a few switches on her console. After a moment, the black armour seemed to peel itself open. The interior arrangement was much the same as the suit Nikira often wore. Alita stepped into the legs, which hissed shut around her. Then, leaning forward, she grasped the sides and stood up. The chest came up with her, sealing the sides. Alita noted that, as she closed the suit up, the exterior armour fused closed again around her. Within the arms, her hands found the controls. Everything seemed to fit comfortably, so Alita accepted the helmet Nikira was holding out to her. It snapped comfortably into place over her head.

"Nice, eh?" Nikira inquired, "Try one of the weapons. Don't worry, the safety’s on all of the projectile weapons. Just flick your right wrist up, palm open, to activate the machine gun and see what happens."

Alita flicked her wrist per instructions. "What the hell...? It looks exactly like the readouts I used to get from the Gabriel!"

"Actually, they're slightly clearer," Nikira corrected, "But almost identical. Now, try rotating your wrist distally. That should activate your blade."

As Alita turned her wrist a blade slid out the side of her Suit's arm and locked into position. It took Alita a moment to recognize the design of the blade, and another moment for her to realize the significance of its position.

"A... a Damascus blade..." Alita murmured, "In the same position as on my Motorball body...!"

"Check the waistline," Nikira suggested. There, Alita found several packs of Missile Bees, Arachnos, Fireflies, Laser Bugs, and Solid Wing generator tacked on the back. Alita looked up at Nikira's smug face, a look of awe on her own.

"This thing doesn't have a Quench gun, does it?" Alita asked, grinning.

"No, but it has nearly every weapon you've ever used built in somewhere," Nikira told her, "It just started out as a tribute to Tuned Weapons... but I guess I got carried away. I built it for you, Alita... before I even knew you were still around..."

"Nika..."

"Take it, Alita," Nikira told her, "It's yours." A still moment passed between the pair, an eternity of memories slipping past. Their time in the Scrapyard, with Raisa. Their fight... and Nikira's escape from Eizenburg. Meeting up on Farm 14 again, when the towns people were trying to lynch Nikira. One year together in the desert, looking for Desty Nova as Tuned Agents. In only a few hundred days together they had come to know more about each other than most people learned in a lifetime.

Alita found herself lost in her friend's gaze. Nikira's eyes had a colder edge that they had five hundred years ago... but they also exhibited a longing that Alita had only seen once before... that night out in the desert....

"Um..." Alita murmured, locked in place by Nikira's icy gaze. A motion caught her eye; Nikira's right hand. The hand reached up, brushing Alita's hair away from her honey eyes, the back side of Nikira's fingers softly stroking Alita's face. Nikira's hand sat there a moment, her fingers against Alita's forehead.

"Sorry..." Nikira said, standing suddenly, her form silhouetted in the firelight.

".... All right," Alita said at last, "I'll take the Mark 3."

Nikira smiled, glancing away. Alita nodded, keeping her eyes on Nikira. The cold sadness slipped from her face once more, to be hidden away under Nikira's more usual expression of amused flamboyance. Grinning slightly, Nikira trotted over to the door and keyed it open.

"The others are probably waiting for us by now," Nikira told her, "We shouldn't keep em waiting, eh?"

"Huh?" Alita inquired, "Who's waiting, and why?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you," Nikira exclaimed, smacking herself in the forehead, "When we found you, we were in the middle of a final recon mission to Dis. The plan is to attack tonight, in a few hours. That's why I got you fitted for a suit first; we didn't have time for a tour before the battle."

Alita nodded, stepping through the door. On the other side, Alita found herself facing three red Hardsuits with white faceplates; Mark Ones. On Nikira's signal, the three all flipped up their faceplates. Alita did likewise, taking a look at the faces of the three women. She recognized Misato, the woman who'd brought them tea earlier. The other two, however, were strangers.

"This is Kastuki," Nikira stated, indicating the oriental woman on the left, "She's Alpha 2, my right hand. Next is Catori, my best recon officer. She's Alpha 3. Alpha 4," Nikira continued, gesturing to Misato, "Is our resident medical specialist. She helped treat your wounds before you came to."

"Hello," Alita said, bowing, "And thanks for everything you did for me." Misato and Catori grinned.

"No problem," Catori replied, "You weren't exactly hard to spot, though." It took Alita a moment to figure out what the girl was referring too, but Alita managed not to look like an idiot.

"And," Nikira went on, "If he'd get his ass in gear, I could introduce you to Alpha 5..." Cued, a large yellow Mecha clanked into view from around the large sand-skimmer that occupied much of the Suit Room's center.

"Touji Shima, reporting for duty!" the yellow mech said, snapping a salute off in Nikira's direction. The visor flipped up to reveal a rather boyish pilot with mussed black hair. Alita couldn't help but smile at the kid.

"This joker's Alpha 5, our explosives expert," Nikira narrated, "Squad Beta is still in the wastelands, keeping an eye on Dis."

"Speaking of which," Kastuki interjected, "Shouldn't we getting back out there?"

"I guess my stirring speech can wait, eh?" Nikira asked, smirking. Alita watched as the Neo-Sabers exchanged a laugh. A sudden pang of regret hit her. Somehow, these people reminded of her Motorball comrades... and once again, she was the outsider.

"Oh," Nikira exclaimed suddenly, "I almost forgot. Alita here is now Alpha 6. She taught me a nice chunk of what I know about combat, so give her a lot of room and respect." Each of the Sabers nodded to Alita, smiling. Alita smiled back, doing her best to cover her thoughts.

"Now, if you grunts will load up," Nikira said, nodding to the sand-skimmer, "I'll close up shop and join you in a minute."

Following Kastuki's lead, Alita boarded the armoured truck and strapped in to one of the seats. An eerie sense of déjà vu hit Alita as she looked around. The chairs... the straps... it reminded her of Yoko's ship.

"Fake..." someone whispered. Alita glanced up and found herself face to face with... herself. Or, rather, who she once was. A foot in front of Alita, an explosive pack strapped to her waist, stood Yoko. "You're a fake, Alita," Yoko whispered harshly.

***

"Your time will be soon, my Elena," Taskrel whispered, gazing up at massive creatures. For the first time, Taskrel stood on the dig sight itself. The excavation mechas were gone now, leaving him and Elena completely alone. From this close, Taskrel could see the ravages time had delivered unto his child. He could reach out and touch the torn flesh, rotting and dangling from Elena's body. He could touch her! If only it weren't for the environmental suit, he would. But, soon, his suit would be irrelevant. The Key would allow him to touch his darling, to heal her wounds. Elena's tattered wings, which even now were too far away to even see, would be whole once more. Taskrel would be with her when, after millions of years she once again unfurled her wings and took to the blackness of space. Then, mankind would be judged for its sins.

"The Key is ready, Sir," Odanov's voice crackled through the com system, "we can turn it anytime."

"The appointed time is in two hours," Taskrel replied, via the com system, "Release the Krels ten minutes before that, on my signal. I must be at the appointed place."

"Yes, Sir," Odanov replied, cutting the com-line.

"Forgive me, Elena," Taskrel murmured, reaching out to take hold of one of the lacerations in her flesh, "There is no other way for me to reach you." Using the damaged flesh as hand and footholds, Taskrel began to climb up the creature's side.

***

"Yoko...?"

"Did you think to have escaped from me?" Yoko asked, sneering coldly at Alita, "Fool. Whenever you fight... whenever you kill... I am with you. That is the meaning of the double-swan head; it is my mark upon you, screaming that I am still here! As long as you fight, and kill, you can not escape me."

"No! I am not you!"

"Oh?" Yoko asked, "Then why did you give your heart to that fool, Konvar? Look back in your memories, Alita. Remember Beltram?"

"Yes..." Alita murmured, "He.. he looks a lot like Konvar."

"You reflect my deepest desire.. that he and I had died together," Yoko told her, "But, I was foolish. He was a weakling... and so is your Konvar. You will see, Alita. It is Karma, pure Karma. You and Konvar shall end as Beltram and I did."

"What...? No!"

"Ha," Yoko spat, "Suffer, you pathetic imitation. You are nothing, you hear?!? A flawed copy of ME! Remember that when you die!"

"...urp..." Alita hiccuped as the troop carrier took off. She blinked, rubbing her head. "Don't worry," Catori said from the seat next to her, "I know it feels kinda funny, but you'll get used to it. The shocks on this thing really suck."

"Thanks..." Alita murmured, trying to understand what had just happened to her. A vision? A hallucination? A dream? Alita wasn't sure if she really wanted to think about it anymore.

With a sigh, Alita sat back and tried to concentrate on the vibrations of the skimmer. Somewhat to her annoyance, it didn't seem to help.

"Is everyone okay back there," Nikira's voice inquired over the suit intercoms.

"Peachy Keen," Kastuki replied, her voice twisting the words slightly, "So, what do you have for us tonight Nik? SL Try? Revengers? Daka?"

"Actually," Nikira replied, "I thought that some Replicants might be appropriate."

"If you do that, Nik," Kastuki began, "You're gonna have the entire lot of us singing. And that includes Shima over here. Are you willing to risk that?"

"Hey!" Shima snapped, "Gimme a break, Kassy."

"That's a price I'm willing to pay," Nikira laughed. A click followed, then a faint melody began to play. The volume increased on a drum and guitar intro, with keyboards coming in a moment later.

Kirameku manazashi mitsumeru
Headlight City.
"Lonely" Kodoku no angel.
Heart ga zawameku beat ga kikoeru.
"Help me" Kiken o kanjite.

Dare ka ga watashi o yonderu.
Sasayaki ga nagareboshi ni kawaru.

"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Mihatenu sora ni hikari o tsukisasu.
"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Gareki no machi ni kiboo o tsukisasu.
"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Moo ato e hikenai.
Moetsukiru toki ga kitara
dakishimete.

Alita recognized the song instantly; it was one of the songs Nikira used to sing. The voice that echoed from the skimmer's speakers, however, was not Nikira's. A deeper, yet smoother voice with a distinctive oriental cast sang these words. Alita recalled the stories Nikira used to tell about her past... specifically about a woman named Priss. Could this voice be Priss's?

Kastuki, Catori, Misato, and Shima were all singing softly along, each adding an odd kind of undertone to the ancient melody. Alita could hardly believe that someone from so long ago could understand what she felt, here and now, and sing a song that so reflected her feelings. I understand a little better why Nikira idolized this woman, Alita thought.

My past.. and Nikira's past. If I could choose which path to follow... maybe I could find peace with my choice. Yoko and Nikira...

Alita's eyes slipped shut. As the second verse began, Alita could hear her own voice joining the voices of the others. Together, they sang with the voice of the past.

Dare mo ga yasashiku sumashiteiru kedo.
"Lonely" Samishisa ni ochiru.
Heart o hikisaku
beat o kiitara
"Help me" Yozora ni sakende.

Konya mo dare ka ga naiteiru.
Kanashimi ga nagareboshi ni kawaru.

"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Mihatenu sora ni hikari o tsukisasu.
"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Tama ni wa hitori
senchi ni naru kedo.
"We want you, Soldier Girls, Soldier Girls"
Moo ato e hikenai.
Moetsukiru toki ga kitara
dakishimete.

***

Taskrel walked slowly across the flesh of Elena's back, trying to keep his steps light. A wrong move could put his foot through her fragile frame, something that wouldn't be pleasent for either of them. It would also delay him from his mission.

Gazing ahead, Taskrel spotted the ridge between Elena's eyes. Even walking slowly, it would take no more than ten minutes to get there. Taskrel nodded to himself, then activated the com system.

"Release the Krels," Taskrel ordered, "And be ready with the Key on my mark."

"Yes, Sir," Odanov replied.


Odanov flicked off the com-channel, then turned back to the ruined temple. The ancient concrete was brittle to the touch, age having taken its toll on this ancient place. However, entropy had seemingly not touched the massive Key at the room's center. The only mar on its still shiny surface was the message inscribed in it. The dark hatch-marks had taken years to translate, but once they were, they truly held the key to this place.

It was the Key that told them of the existence of the creature, her location, her power, how she was held in check, and how to resurrect her. The Key also contained the formula for creating the Krels. The potential of this one artifact was more than even Odanov's scientifically trained mind could cope with... but the potential of the creature itself!

"Deus Ex Machina," Odanov murmured, smiling. And he would be the one to study it! Pure knowledge... the ultimate knowledge... all at his fingertips. In a mere ten minutes it would truly begin.

Odanov pulled a small pad from his pocket and pressed the only button on its surface. Deep below, a door opened into Elena's chamber. From it sprang nearly fifty Krels, screeching as they escaped from their confinement. They were far enough away from Taskrel so as to not pose any particular danger. After all, if Taskrel died, then Odanov would never get a chance to study the creature. Grinning, Odanov dropped the remote back into his pocket and checked his watch. Almost time...

***

The skimmer pulled to a stop at the infamous Gates of Dis. Six Hardsuited figures sprang forth, taking up positions as the skimmer shot away on Auto-Pilot. Nikira taking point, they moved forward.

From the dunes around Dis, another six Hardsuits rose. They formed an outer perrimeter around Alpha Squad. Together, all twelve suits advanced on the Gates.

The Gates opened, letting a pair of defense mechas out to face the Hardsuits. The large gray mecha were designed in an almost humanoid fashion, with large rectangular bodies, thick hulking legs, and a pair of gun-turrets for arms. The heads were built in the front of the torso, much like some of the old Barjack cybers.

Two suits, a Mark 1 and Nikira's Mark 2, charged the mechas while the remainder of Squad Alpha moved into back-up positions. Squad Beta held back, holding the perimeter.

*

Taskrel stepped to the apex of the ridge, gazing around the massive cavern. On the far side, he could just barely make out the Krels that Odanov had released, moving slowly towards him. He grinned slightly, knowing they were far too late.

*

Odanov glanced up from the Key as a transmission crackled through his headset. The signal from Taskrel...

Odanov leaned against one side of the huge Key, pushing it slowly around. As he did so, another of Taskrel's men burst through the door, shouting something about an attack on the Gates. Odanov ignored him, focusing all his attention on turning the Key. With an agonizing slowness, the Key began to turn...

*

Side-sweeping the Mecha, Nikira fired several charges into its body. The first mecha shuddered, trying to catch her with its gun turret as it fell. Nikira sidestepped, firing her Railgun into its stubby face. The charges exploded a moment later, tearing the mecha's legs off. It died in a volley of sparks.

The second Mecha faired only slightly better, falling to a double team by Kastuki and Catori. Knuckle-Bombed and Vibro-bladed into near oblivion, the second mecha eventually fell over and blew up, destroyed by a spark in its own fuel tank.

A few more explosives took the doors off Dis. Keeping strictly in formation, the twelve Sabers entered Dis.

*

With a final grunt, Odanov pushed the Key its final inch around. It whirred and clicked, the top of the Key sliding slowly into the floor. The temple was suddenly bathed in light as the systems reactivated.

*

Taskrel felt Elena shift under him. Quickly, he pulled off his helmet and stripped off his pressure suit. Taskrel coughed, barely able to breath in the toxic atmosphere, the product of Elena's imprisonment. However, he was able to pull on a portable oxygen mask before the lack of air caused him to pass out.

Next, he pulled off his uniform and boots. Naked, he knelt on the ridge between Elena's eyes. Moments later, a bright light bathed the massive cavern. The Krels at the far end of the passage screamed in pain for a moment, then dissolved, their flesh flowing into Elena.

Taskrel gritted his teeth as his skin began to ripple. He knew that the process would be painful... he could cope.

Slowly, the ridge opened. Taskrel, his skin melting as he moved, grabbed a hold of the sides and slowly made his way inside. He had no time left...

*

The Neo-Sabers moved slowly through the long passage between the outer and inner Gates. Nothing moved... nothing stirred the silence but the passing of the Sabers themselves. The silence was eerie in its utter totality. Nothing blocked their progression. Dis was deadly calm.

Suddenly, a bright light pulsed from the Inner Gate. It spread rapidly, engulfing the entire corridor in a burningly bright haze. Reality dissolved in a flash of white fire.