The Crimson Flower & The War Ahead

{The scary visions of bodies laying around me, scattered through the area of what seemed to be a dream. I hope that is was a dream at least. What is going on? Why am I here. I suddenly see him, I see Victor standing in the distance. The still-wet blood dripping from his hands. His eyes glow with a blaring red light upon his in-the-shadows face. The atmosphere was freezing. Thick steam escapes his lungs. He looked right at me and gave me a look of pure terror. I have never seen it before and I wish never to again. Was he smiling? Was he proud of what he did to all these bodies? No! He couldn't have done all this. Victor would never do anything like this}

{Victor} "Come back to me and we shall rid the world of it parasites. It's diseases must be eradicated. Let us be the ones to take up the throne of pure obedience."

"Victor!? You are not Victor!"

{I closed my eyes and tried to cancel out the false words and voice of this fake, this demon of deception. I could not hear anymore, but it's not like I could escape it. Wasn't I already in a dream? That's right, where is Wei? Where is Jinx? KC? Ice? I was in the library. What happened?}

{Victor} "Come back to me. Come back to me Tatiana."

"No! I will not listen to you anymore!"

{My eyes closed tightly. I tried to think back to a time of peace and bauty. Anything to take me away from all this}

{Wei} ".........Hey. ...............Tatiana!............ ..........Hey!"

"Huh?"

{Wei} "Hey!"

{My eyes had opened up and I was in a bedroom. I still felt dizzy and confused, but then as my vision came back to me fully, there was Wei sitting on the side of the bed}

{Wei} "Are you alright? You must of been having a nightmare or something."

"Wei? What happened to me?"

{Wei} Not too sure. First you were in the library talking with us and then you kinda got dizzy and fainted to the floor."

{Jinx} "Well hey, she's alright. Damn don't give me a damn heart attack girl!"

"Thank you and I am deeply sorry for worrying you."

{Jinx} It's fine, I thought I told you not to eat Wei's cooking."

{Wei} "Hey!!"

"Wei!"

{Wei} "What's wrong?"

"I have to go, I have to get out of here!"

{Wei} "Wha.. why?"

"I think someone is coming for me. I can't really explain it, but I feel his presence and he will come here and destroy this place if he has to."

{Jinx} "This place is secured and hidden. Who is this someone?"

{Something deep inside of me wanted to believe that false Victor in my horrid dream was a lie, but something else was telling me something else. What if something else is coming. It could have been a sign of a warning. It has never happened before}

"The Xias is coming!"

{Jinx} "Now that's just..."

{Ice} "Hey guys! I'm getting a heavy reading on my Xias-shit-O-meter!"

{Wei} "Distance!?"

{Ice} "About 20 miles East of us!"

{Jinx} "Shit, there goes my hard-ass work on this place."

{Wei} "Don't jump to conclusions, they may sense her presence coming from here, but not an exact location."

{Jinx} "That won't do jack for long."

{Wei} "Jinx, fire up the vans. Now!"

{Jinx runs off with such haste out the room}

"What are you planning?"

{Wei} "Well we can't indeed let them get to you can we? Ice! KC!"

{Ice / KC} "Yes sir!"

{Wei} "Get Fredrick and head to the vans!"

{My hand was taken and I was gently lifted out of the bed. Wei made sure if I could walk and I had nodded to him. We both left the room and turned right. Walking with a bit of haste in our steps down a long corridor and then taking multiple stair cases down. The last stair case had taken us to the back of the building. I was surrounded by millions of flowers of all assorted colors outside. As much as I had admired them while I had the chance, I could not stop. I was helped into the same van that took me away from the Xias. The doors slid close and in the driver seat was Ice. In the other seat was Jinx. Behind our van was KC and Fredrick in another van}

{Ice} "So where to boss?"

{Wei} "I thought as much that the Xias would use some kind of power to get a hand in on us eventually. That is why we are heading to a place that blocks out inner circles of Rai'kov."

{Rai'kov was a deep focus inside one with connections to the Xias. It was like a beacon for them. When I was undergoing their tests, they must have passed on something to me}

{Ice} "Only one place like that. It's about an hour to get there, but it'll do."

{Jinx} "Shit, not Hilifax."

{Ice} "Oh come on, what's wrong with Hilifax? It has nice restaurants and a great, but expensive hospital."

{Jinx} "I have a damn ex there."

*The day seemed to go back and forth on speed. First it would seem fast, than slow down and than once again continue fast. The students were preparing for the extravagant event for this evening. I was trying to piece together the plan for this unwanted guest of ours. Every few steps you couldn't walk down the halls without seeing a student or group of student placing an idea into the dance. It only happens once a year and it brings peace to the mind for these kids, along with the faculty*

*Lenn* ".............."

"It's a data disk containing a secret coding text and video file within it Lenn."

*Lenn* "I didn't want to..."

"It's alright. After all I surely can't keep you out of the plan and circle of trust."

*Kagome* "We are to see the communication center?"

"Yes, but first we are missing one person."

*Lenn* "If you're referring to Kai, I have no idea where he could be. Best I can tell you is check the cafeteria or the dorms."

*Kagome* "The Dorms?"

*Lenn* "It's a bit of a story there."

"We'll head to the communication center for now than and contact him by the intercom later. Right now we have to make a bit of a move that should place us two steps ahead of the Xias for tomorrow."

*We make our way towards the top of the Garden. The communication center was doing their best to keep a look out for anything out of the ordinary. I took a seat at the same console station as before. I wanted to program the data and video that was help in the disk that Dr. Rasmus had giving me*

*Lenn* "Locations? Of what?"

*The data on the screen showed a large landscape of the area around the Garden. Approximately a five-hundred mile radius. Through out the map was a very small pin code moving down and than either left or right every five minutes. Another one would show up a couple minutes later. This one had a different pin code to it*

*Lenn* "What are they?"

"That's where the secret holds in the balance. Right now I'll let you guess it for a while."

*Lenn* "What? Oh that's just mean!"

*Kagome* "He's only protecting you."

*Lenn* "Figures, I guess I'll just have to wait."

*After inputting some more data into the map the small pin codes starting blinking and than suddenly disappeared off the map. The video part of the data disk showed certain security camera footage of an area that use to be a training ground for the Garden. It had a shot of a man with long hair and a large caliber blade*

"It's you."

*Kagome* "........?"

*I didn't want to bring up too much as soon as it came up. The sound of Lenn walking away said it all. I had closed the screen and tried to patch into the satellite frequencies. The signal wasn't going all the way through. I got an open screen of a logo that looked alot like Leslie's tavern. Guess he is busy at the moment*

"Dispatcher!"

*Dispatcher 1* "Yes."

"relay any messages that come through here."

*Dispatcher 1* "Of course. I shall send word as soon as we receive anything."

"Thankyou."

*I had left Leslie a message for now and Kagome, Lenn, and I left the communication center and returned to the bottom floor. From there we walked to the cafeteria. We did not see Kai there, so we waited for a bit while getting a small plate of something*

(Laura treads carefully as she reaches a grassy spot close to the boat's location. Her heels sink in and she flails her arms to regain her balance as she pulls herself forward. Ghloria smiled beind her hand which was still massaging her sore nose, and went over to help Laura get beyond the first hell point)

(Laura braces her arm around Ghloria's neck and tip toes forward slowly with most of her weight being supported. Ghloria groans and blinks furiously)- "Tora woman...What do you eat? You weigh a ton!.."

(Laura reaches a firm sandy patch of ground now, and uses her right arm to toss Ghloria down)- "Thaaaaat's for caaalling me faaaat...*Ghloria twitches on the ground and she looks back at her*....Ghlooooriaaa this is noo time to be restiiiing. We have to get to the mansssiiiiooon!"

(Ghloria blinks and huffs as she gets off the ground and curses everything as she tries to get the sand off of her clothes. She brushes her shoulders off only for more sand to randomly appear, then gives up, runs past Laura, and skids to a stop to stand next to it.)- "Now hurry up Laura...you're going too sloooow"

(Laura's long lashes flutters as Ghloria taunts her forward)- "Are you mooocking mee??....I see why Ted hates you now ...."

(Ghloria gets a low blow and cowers suddenly while mumbling to herself)- "Wasn't my fault"

(Laura reaches the boat and stares at it, then to Ghloria and back to the boat.)- "Oh Tora......That water looooks weeet....I don't know about thiiiis....*Pushes Ghloria forward into the boat*...You test it ooout...make sure its saaafe."

(Ghloria lands into the boat then quickly scrambles around to right herself. A pang of annoyance comes across her face as she grabs one of the oars, then the other and places them through the metal slots. She looks back and smiles deviously)- "Well since you put me in the boat...You'll have to push us off......Hahaha!"

(Laura's eyes narrowed as she thought about it, walks over to the rope tie and lifts it off barely touching it as if it were diseased. She winces as sand gets into her shoes and "ughs"..as she pushes the boat forward, watches it float away, then runs quickly to jump into it causing her to land upside down)- "Ooooh my Tora....Leslie is going to really pay for thiiiiisss....*struggles*..Ghloriaaa heelllpp It's daarrk..."

(Ghloria laughs heartily and gives the boat 5 strong rows before resting and leaning over to help her. SHe grabs her leg and then an arm pulling her around furiously until she sat upright.)- "There...all better huh?"

(Laura stands there with one of her lashes halfway on and a pigtail completely undone.)- Oh yeeeeaaah...MUCH bettterr...."

(She unties the ribbons on her pigtails, unbraids the other, then carefully takes off her lashes and tosses them into the water. Laura uses her hands to untangles and straighten the natural curls she had then pulled out a compact to remove her makeup. Once she was done Ghloria stood there in awe and blinked as she continued to row)- "....You look alot better without makeup on.....Which is rare for some people"

(Laura smiles and her now visible brown eyes gleamed in the light causing them to look like a fresh jar of honey. She unstraps her heels, rubs her feet and stares at the stand pouring out of her heels.)- "Oh wooooow.....*Looks at Ghloria*...Are weee thereee yeeeet?"

(Ghloria shrugged)- "Actually I was going to ask you that......You didn't write it down?"

(Laura nods)- "I diiid.. I was just making sure you knew we were going to be there soooon."

(GHloria nods and Laura smiles as she looks down at the glistening water which sent chills up her spine yet sparked her curiousity at the same time. The rest of the way was silent and all that could be heard was the moving of the water with the rhythm of the oar strokes.

*Female Student with megaphone* "Alright everyone! Lets get this on the roll! Hey you!, make sure to set up that banner correctly! Oh you over there, get that table and chair!"

*Male Student 1* "This is heavy! Can I get some help over here?"

*Male Student 2* "I would help, but she's got me moving these vases!"

*Male Student 3* "Where do you want this?!"

*Female Student with megaphone* "That should go over there with the rest of them, but be sure to place it a few spaces away!"

*The event was underway and each student was doing their part in getting ready. We were making our way to the Headmaster's office until a student had stopped us*

*Male Student 3* "Hey, hey, hey. I can't believe that you're here! Sorry if I may be a bit loud, but It is a great honor to meet you. We are preparing a very special event in honor of you."

"It's not necessary, really."

*Male Student 3* "Are you kidding? It's not like we get to see a living legend everyday like yourself."

"I'm not a..."

*Male Student 3* "Uh hey, let me get back to you, please! I would like to hear your stories! I have to go or that one over there will scream out my ears."

*Female Student with megaphone* "Hey you! Stop bothering our grand guest and get back to work!"

*The student carrying a ceramic vase runs off and nearly trips over the remaining banners laying around*

*Lenn* "These students are nuts."

*Kagome* "They're more active than last year."

*Lenn* "Really? Well they go all the way, don't they?"

*We continued past the students and then a loud noise caught our attention*

*Kai* "HEY!

*Lenn* "Kai, we were looking for you."

*Kai* "Oh, my apologies. I have been here helping the with the Garden festival. Can you believe all this? Harmony is part of the group that will set up the dance part and stage of the festival."

".............................."

*Lenn* "Kai, are you glowing?"

*Kai* "Glowing? What!? I didn't touch anything!"

*Lenn* "I meant that you look really happy and maybe in love?"

*Kai* "I...I..I..."

".............................."

*Placing my right hand upon Kai's left shoulder and then giving it a good pat before turning around and continuing towards the elevator.*

*Lenn* "Hey, make sure you come to the Headmaster's office as soon as you're done alright? We have to make huge plans."

*Kai* "A..Alright."

*I wanted to leave Kai to his fun for the meantime. I had to have the thought pass my mind, the thought that Kai may not have another chance like this again. I want him to have this peace while it lasted. We'll be in the office for awhile, planning for this evening*

(TIME-LINE) - December the 11th / 1:08pm

- "I trust that you you are just getting use to this free air, am I correct?"

(Massive muscular man) - "It... is... very... hard..."

- "Yes, I would believe so. You were one of the few that would turn up here."

(Breathing heavily. Horrible wheezing. Like it had a collar too tight around the neck. Those huge eyes gazing back at me just within the shadows of the vehicle. Sweaty palms grip tighter to the pain it must be still feeling. The treatment that they gave it must be still undergoing it's process. Amusing is the word I would like to describe this very moment. To look at the one thing that I brought down, only to see it before my eyes. Maybe it can be part of my new world)

(Massive muscular man) - "I... I... can... not... see..."

- "Of course not, you're still under the black liquid. Your eyes will not be able to see until I allow it."

(Driver) - "Sir, we're coming up to the signal. It's very faint but this was the last place that we picked it up. Are you able to feel it?"

- "It is faint to me as well. When we arrive, search everywhere and leave no stone unturned. Burn everything. Find every possible witness and bring them to me."

(Driver) "Yes sir!"

(Tatiana, you can not be tainted by these mortals. These weak and undesirable parasites. I know you felt my presence. Come, let me take you away from all these lies. Do not give into the words or thoughts of these pathetic creatures)

(Massive muscular man) - "What... will... I... do...?"

- "You will have to prove how useful you are, for I shall execute you on the spot if you show any failure to me."

(This thing before me is an abomination, but I must admit a beautiful abomination. I am up for chances, so I shall throw the challenge before it)

(In the head of the train of black vehicles, I lead the Xias to the last known location of Tatiana. Dragging four other vehicles behind with five heavy armed Xias in each. Each one was weak, this I already knew. It's the fact that all of them were expendable assets, at least to me anyways. The only one that I may have use for is this thing)

- "What do you remember before you had awaken to this world?"

(Massive muscular man) - "I... re... re...member... nothing..."

- "Excellent to hear."

(Our destination had arrived. A small town-like surrounding. A grocery store, A pharmacy, an abandon building, and a row of houses. Gravel laid throughout the ground, near and far)

- "You will have your team check out that abandon building first. Send another team to search out for those that may know anything. Check around for any known indications of trails left behind."

(Man in black suit) - "Yes sir, at once sir!"

- "Project X13."

(The rear left door of the black vehicle opens and out steps the massive muscular man known as X13. The latest in Xias infantry experimental projects. X13, better known as the weak creature once before I had slain it as Dimitri. His reports had shown that it was quite a task to reattach his head to his body. Thanks to the black liquid, he had no problem with the pain and treatment. It stood to the right of me, it's enormous shadow surrounded mine. It's strength and size had tripled because of the treatment)

- "Come X13, we shall see what these poor fools had left behind."

(The Xias run into the abandon building in an orderly fashion way. One by one, heavily armed to the tooth. I followed behind along with project X13 behind me. The abandon building had the smell of bacon and burnt bread lingering in the air. Each room was cleared, each room was completely deserted. It wasn't abandoned at first, that is for sure. This is where she was, this is where Tatiana was held. Her trail was faint and I could no longer sense her. Something was jamming my connection to her. I could feel the vibrations on the ground of every step that project X13 was making)

(Armored Xias soldier #1) - "Sir, this building is cleared. It looks as if they had left no more than an hour ago sir."

- "Keep looking throughout the building and the surroundings."

(Armored Xias soldier #1) - "But sir, there isn't anything left other than what they had left behind."

(I think my eyes had closed for a mere second or two. I just remember that the soldier was standing in front of me without his limbs attached. He just bled out in front of me. His eyes still wide open)

- "Does anyone else have something to share?"

(Armored Xias soldier #2) - "Nn..nn..n...No sir. Yy.y.yy...You, get moving and search out the area!"

(Expendable assets, that is all they are. I wanted to leave this place before creating a migraine. Outside, some soldiers were waiting with an average-looking man they said that they grabbed from the grocery store. Quivering more as I walked closer towards him. They threw him at my feet)

- "What do you know of this building?"

(Grocery store clerk) - "I just kn..know that there are five of them, but I noticed that there were six last night as I was closing up for my boss. I was hoping to get some kind of reward for this information."

- "This is something that I could have known by myself. Where did they go?"

(Grocery store clerk) - "I'm not too sure. They have two vans that they use, but I don't know where they could have gone."

- "Very well. come here. I will make you a deal, a reward for cooperating with me."

(I helped up the scared man and brought him near the stairs of the entrance of the so-called abandon building and wanted to talk to him alone)

- "You know something don't you?"

(Grocery store clerk) - "I swear, that is all I know."

- "What is your name?"

(Grocery store clerk) - "Jim, sir."

- "Jim, I need to know what you know."

(Jim) - "They're good kids, sir. I don't want to put them in any trouble."

- "Then tell me where they went."

(Jim) - "I can't. You look like someone that may bring them harm. Please, just let me be on my way, I don't need any reward."

- "Very well. I shall release you. I shall still grant you a reward for not resisting. X13!"

(The heavy breathing returned. Loud thuds to the ground sent vibrations throughout the place. Two large hands come from the darkness of the entrance and overlaps the small neck of the grocery clerk. It lifts him what seemed like countless inches off the ground. X13's fingers alone could have wrapped around him and squeeze every last breath out of him. The hands of X13 grips tighter around his neck. I didn't even need to see what happens next. As I just close my eyes, I could hear the chunks of bones breaking within his neck. The blood filling his eyes and leaving out every known opening of his head)

- "Keep searching the area. Find them!"

(After awhile Ghloria and Laura had finally arrived at the hidden dock. It looked almost new as the floorboards were mahogany and the railings adorned with carved mock ivory. Laura looked up over a small hill as something caught her attention, while Ghloria would toss the rope anchor around a post. She stood up, climbed under the railing of the dock, then helped Laura to get out of the boat.)

(Ghloria would start to walk forward but Laura grabbed her jacket sleave)- "Noooo...Dooon't gooo.....I saw somethiiiing"

(Ghloria looks at Laura then up to where she had pointed. She knelt down and snuck forward a ways until she reached a huge bush. Looking left of the bush then sneaking over to the right, she spots one of Leslie's guards patrolling. Ghloria motioned to Laura the all clear as she stood up and brushed herself off.)

(The guard turned around to patrol the other direction then sees a strange person. He quickly marches up to them then issues the usual line)- "HALT....Do not move any further....do not blink...cough or sneeze or I WILL shoot....*He walks up to the stranger who is identified as a female and begins to pat her down*.....Do you have any weapons?...HALT don't speak..."

(Ghloria would stand there highly pissed as the guard searched her, questioned her but didn't allow her to speak. She would look down at Laura and thinks to herself)- "If she doesn't hurry the hell up.....*pauses*...I'll be pumped full of lead...*Watches Laura fluff her hair as she comes up the hill*..Grr Hurryyy.."

(Laura hadn't been paying attention to what was happening until she stood got over the small hill. Her eyes would grow wide, then she begins to shake her head)- "Tisk Ghloriaaaaa....Didn't you tell him I was wiiith yooou? *Looks to the guard*....She's fiiiine....she's with meee oook??..."

(The guard would stop unnecessarily frisking Ghloria, turns towards Laura and slowly bows)- "My apologies Miss Laura"

(Ghloria lets out a huge sigh of relief then shivers slightly)- "I swear some of that was not frisking......"

(Laura smiles)- "Hahaa...Yeeeaahh...He used to work at the tavern buuutt...He got alittle too touchy feely with the people who came through the dooor...So Leslie kept him heeeere"

(Ghloria looked lost for a second then decided it was best not to ask just yet. Both of them headed down the road dirt road to the mansion which after awhile went from dirt to brick to cobblestone. Ghloria seemed slightly surprised but realized it was just like Leslie to let the world know who lived here.)

(Finally they reach the tall black front gates to which two guards pulled each side open and allowed Laura and Ghloria to walk in. Laura hurried towards the front door with a huge yawn, Ghloria trotted behind her then pushes her to the side as she walks through the now open front door. Laura growled as she was pushed, walks through the door, grabs a vase and hits Ghloria over the head with it as she walks over towards the kitchen.)

(Ghloria stands there stunned and makes a note to get her back for that. A small 30ish hispanic maid appears out of nowhere and tisks at the broken vase)- "Leslie no será así. Ni un poquito.....Oi..."

(Oiji would be sitting on the couch in plain clothes watching what seemed to be the cooking channel, smiled into a laugh, then rolls his head right to look at Ghloria standing over him)- "May..I help you Miss?

(Oiji sat upright on the couch and Ghloria would towards her boots trying to remember the secret word)- "Acorn.......No...Apple.....No that's not it....Coffee...A-lot....*Oiji quirks a brow at her as she starts to mumble*...No..noooo....hmmmm AGH...Co...*whispers* apoch....APOCH!! *Looks towards Oiji* Apoch!"

(Oiji's eyes shoot open and he scrambles off the couch, runs towards the wall behind the couch, punch a hole in the wall, and rips a huge chunk off exposing a glass box with a lock on it. He searches through his pockets for her large set of keys, finds them and instantly lands on the one he needs. He puts it in the lock twists it and the lid slowly opens up with a small cloud of smokes. Oiji looks at the blue button in front of him, slams it with his fist and an alarm goes off.)

((Alarm Voice))---Warning please report the the mansion courtyard the surrounding area is on lock down--

(The alarm plays this continously as a slew of guards comes from the upstairs area suiting up in their swat gear, while the others slipped into their armour. Ghloria watched the chaos as it escalated then watches as Laura's boys run out of the lounge room. She grabs one of them and rests them on her hip while she held the other's head and pulled him close to her)- "Oh my fuuuuuck what did you saaaay??"

(Ghloria looked over at her then at a guard running by)- "Apoch...."

(Laura looked at Ghloria then her two boys and continued to hold them tight.)

(Oiji ran through the kitchen, hurried down the stairs and ran through a large room where women let out a loud scream at his unexpected presence. He looked at them all, then talked in a loud voice to be heard over the alarm)- "This is an emergency!...Get dressed and head up to the living room...I'll explain everything once everyone makes it up there!"

(All the women scattered and the few clients left sat there confused)

(Oiji continued towards the second door which led down to the weapons cache. He waited for the guard to unlock the door then they both run in to light the two fireplaces.)- "Ok start loading carts with weapons, ammo, LAWS....etc!...*Watches the guard fumble with a "pineapple" * CAREFUL WITH THAT GRENADE!!!!....*he runs up to him and grabs him by the collar*....You kill us all and I'll make sure to kick your ass in hell!!..Now hurry up!!.."

(More guards headed down into room now fully suited and breathing heavily from the weight of their gear. Oiji and the first guard push the first load onto a lift and ascend to the outside level of the mansion.)

*Issac* "So here is what we have so far planned. The festival and dance will be a great one indeed. In the middle somewhere, we'll seek out the spy and make sure to take them into custody."

*Kagome* "And the other staff know of this?"

*Issac* "Most of them, but not all. I did not want to risk the fact that one of them might be the one."

*Kagome* "I thought we me made it clear that it was a student that was declared as the spy."

*Issac* "We don't know how far their connections go. they could be either bribing or blackmailing some of them."

*The office doors slide open and in walks Dr. Rasmus*

*Issac* "Dr. Rasmus, any new information?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "Not at this time. The event is on it's way and no one has ended up in my infirmary. I kinda figured that I'd come up here and give you company to pass the time."

*Issac* "We just need to figure out what to do afterwords. Dokuno, please is there any other word from your companion?"

"No, not yet. I had sent out another message and awaiting their progress at this time. By the way, the data of the Garden disk has made sure that plan B will aid us."

*Issac* "Good, well at least all is not completely lost. I'm sweating bullets here. We wait then, until the Garden event, we wait."

(Laura looked around the room as women started to fill the living room. Ghloria had walked away and pulled out her com-device as began dialing Leslie's number.)

(Outside Oiji stared at the precious cargo that reached the ground level and pushed it with the help of the other guard towards the back stables. Another set of guards took the cart off their hands and carefully loaded into a heavy duty carriage that was still be checked over. Oiji and the guard stepped back on the lift and headed down to get more, and watching as five other lifts went up on the sides of them.)

(Ghloria waited a moment as the device tried to connect then an image of darkness came onto the screen)

(Ted feels something vibrate in his pocket, pulls out Leslie's com device, and sees Ghloria on the screen to which he scoffs)- "Leslie to the witch is on com...."

(Leslie looks over at him sternly with a mouth full of ramen and mumbles to hold on. He slurps up the ramen and passes Ted the empty cup in exchange for the com-device)- "Thank you.....*Looks at the screen*.....I supposing you made it Ghloria?"

(Ghloria nods and looks behind her then back to the screen)- "Yup I made it...well I almost didn't make it...one of your guards was.....MORE than friendly...I'm glad Laura was there to save my ass"

(Leslie)- "Hahaaa...I see you've met my second best...Be lucky he didn't give you the strip search...*He continues laughing then looks at Ted*...I want more ramen!...*pushes him*...Goooo.....hungry....."

(Ted sighs)- "But that was your forth cup!....*chair is lifted from under him*...Dammit ow!..fine ok..I'll get you more.."

(Leslie looks back to the screen)- "So...what's the status there hmmm?.."

(Ghloria tilts her head)- "CHAOS!....Organized chaos....all the girls who were here are in the living room...Laura hit me on the head with a vase....."

(Laura snatches away the com)- "Nooooo don't believe heeerrr....She's lyiiiiing"

(Leslie raises a brow)- "What vase.......and where is you make up...and lashes...What in the hell happened to you?!"

(Laura looks at Ghloria and makes an ugh face)- "She threeeew me in the boooooat and made me do aaaaalll this hardwork...I literally sweated out of aaaall my makeup and juuust...everythiiiiing"

(Ghloria snatches away the com and runs outside with it in her hand while being chased by Laura. Leslie sat there looking at his brand new boots then back at the screen highly agitated)- "Um....Helluuuuuuu?!........"

(Leslie sighs, pulls out a random air horn and blast it at the com speaker. Ghloria and Laura both scream, look at the screen, and speak in unison)

(Ghloria)- "What the hell!"
(Laura)- " Whaaaat theeee Heeeeeeellll??"

(Leslie stares at them with irritation)- "Will both of you stop running about and answer my damn question?!....Hmm..."

(Ghloria rubs the back of her head)- "Heh..um sorry...Uh well...basically now things are being loaded up into this huge carriage thing..*looks at two hybrids being toted towards the carriage*...there hitching up some pretty big looking horses up to it as well...."

(Ghloria turns and looks up at the mansion and tilts her head)- "Uh wow...."

(Leslie)- "What?"

(Ghloria lets out a nervous laugh)- "Heh...when they lock it down......They REALLY lock it down...Your mansion is armour plated now...Windows, the outside walls....the bushes...*turns around*...Fuck...you have a metal boarder around the land?!"

(Leslie smirks)- "Yes indeed...I do...*Leans over to look for Ted but sees nothing*...Sigh...I installed that earlier this year...along with the some minor decorative details....I don't want everyone's hard work to go to waste because of some careless idiots endeavors....Now....Who is Oiji appointing to escort you back?"

(Ghloria sits down on a empty crate and Laura scoots next to her almost knocking her off)- "Hey!......Oh..um hell I dunno...The moment I said Apoch he just ran off and sounded the alarm..."

(Laura flutters her lashes)- "I'll gooo with heeer...wherever she's goooooing...*looks at Ghloria*...Where aaare you going anyway?"

(Ghloria)- "I'm taking this stuff to this hunky Mr. O.....Mr. Nameless guy...you HAVE to see him...he's just so..."

(Leslie interrupts)- "Laura sweety you aren't going anywhere....Last time I checked you have two boys.....They're going to need you and I am not putting your life in danger..."

(Laura whines)- "Oh Madame Leeeeesliiiie...Coome oooon....One of the girls will watch theeem...and I'm not going to get hurt..."

(Leslie stares)- "No"

(Laura makes a sad face)- "Pleeease.....?"

(Leslie)- "No!"

(Laura whines and looks sad)- "Puleeeeeeeeeeeaseeeee...?"

(Leslie gives Laura a stare she'll never forget and finally backs off. Ghloria watches as Laura gets up and walks away, then turns back to Leslie)- "...Hmm....I'll talk with Oiji once he's done getting the rest of the gear loaded up....*Looks down then up*..She really can't come...can she...."

(Leslie shakes his head no, then watches as Ted returns with his ramen.)- "Bring her something as a souvenir when you return from dropping off the weapons..."

(Ghloria nods)- "Alright..I can do that...I'll drop a line once Oiji's done then let you know who is taking us...I'm out"

(They terminate the connection simultaneously. Ghloria sighs while throwing her head back slowly with her eyes closed, then gets up and heads back into the mansion.)

(Leslie stares at the blank screen for a moment then flips it closed and put it in his blouse. Ted looks at him in his silence, then listens as Leslie begins slurping down the cup of ramen.)

{We had reached the placed called Hilifax. Jinx still looked either uneasy, ot just objective of being here. I looked outside the corner of the rear window and seen that Hilifax was a wonderful place. Jinx shares that this place isn't all that it seems. That it is a place filled with broken down apartments and remodeled business towers. I couldn't see exactly what she was seeing, for I was surrounded by all the shops and cars on both sides of the road. I was told to be covered by a small blanket and to stay low}

{Jinx} "Well this shithole hasn't changed."

{Ice} "Oh come on, it's not all that bad, jeez."

{Wei} "You remember the way?"

{Ice} "Of course I do. This place is practically my backyard."

{Jinx} "Wow, you need some improvement."

{Wei} "Knock it off you two. Just get us there and don't cause a damn scene."

"Where are we going?"

{Wei} "There's a place that controls most of the technology power and unrelated power, such as..."

{Ice} "Telepathic connections baby!"

{Wei} "Yeah, well what he said."

{The van had traveled a distance to this technology place. I was a little more curious about this Hilifax and wanted to travel a bit more. We went into this solid concrete tunnel only to not come out anywhere. It had taken us into an underground road that came to another garage for vehicles. The van came to a halt and I was helped out. Ice and Jinx stepped out of the van and went up some stairs. The other van came from behind and parked right behind us. KC and Fredrick stepped out and went the same way as the others. Wei showed me the way up the stairs}

{Wei} "Here we are, not exactly like home, but it'll keep us off the radar for awhile. You must be hungry, I'll go and make some lunch."

"Alright, thank you."

{Man with thick glasses} "Hey! Wei! What do you know! You little bastard! Where have you been!?"

{Wei} "I've just been rebelling against the Xias, like always. Oh sorry, Tatiana, this is Conner, AKA Co-venus."

"Nice to meet you."

{Conner} "Wei! You little dog, you!"

{Wei} "It's not like that!"

{Conner} "Right!"

{Wei had taken Conner's shoulder and pulled him to the side}

{Wei} "She is project Tatiana."

{Conner} "What! Are you serious?! You brought her here!?"

{Wei} "Keep it down! She needs protection and we can't let the Xias get their hands on her. She a good kid. The Xias found out our last known base. Here she can be shielded by your telepathic technology. Please Conner, we need your help."

{Conner} "Damn it, you know can't turn you down... or a very pretty girl. Damn my motto."

{Wei} "That's why I love it!"

{This Conner stranger was a tall man. He was in his late fifties. His thick eye-glasses made his eyes so large. He looked really smart and talked in a sort of british accent. I followed Jinx to the top floor of this building. Up at the top, we were at street-level and you could see all the busy cars drive bythe large plate of glass. Ice and KC were playing on an air-hockey table, Fredrick was changing his camera film, Jinx relaxed with a grey and black camouflage baseball cap within a leather couch in the coner, and Wei was in the small kitchen-like area making some sandwiches and tea}

{Fredrick} "Hey, I'm going to go out for a bit and get some more film and take some pictures of the place."

{Wei} "Hey, you take your com-link and check in every ten minutes, got it!?"

{Fredrick} "You got it!"

{I was afraid of asking. Back at the Xias building, they would not even let me outside. I really wanted to go with Fredrick and see more of this place. I just had to, and without warning I closed my eyes and screamed}

"PLEASE, COULD I GO WITH FREDRICK!?"

{Everyone stopped what they were doing. Jinx was ready to go for her side arm, KC and Ice frozen in place, Wei just blinked multiple times, and Fredrick was half way out the front door}

{Wei} "I don't think that's a good..."

{Jinx} "Wei, don't sound like them."

{Wei} "...You stay with Fredrick the whole time, okay!? I cannot stressed that enough. And make sure to cover your face, we don't need the attention. This is for your safety."

"Alright. Thank you."

{Wei runs up to Fredrick and I and pulls out a small green and black chip}

{Wei} "You need anything, you use this."

"What is it?"

{Wei} "It's a credit chip, you can buy almost everything with this. Just remember to use it wisely."

"Thank you Wei."

{Wei} "And please, stay within the range of the place. Don't travel way out to the boarder."

{Fredrick and I left. We had a traveling yellow and red car pick us up}

{Jinx} "Wei, how much was on that chip?"

{Wei} "About ten-thousand dekus."

{Jinx, KC, Ice} "What!?"

(Leslie had finally finished his last cup of ramen which totaled 6 and handed Ted the empty cup and chopsticks. He watched as Ted hurled the cup towards the trash bin like a basketball, bounces off the rim and onto the floor. His stares at the cup in disbelief that his aim was that bad then turns to see Leslie with folded arms, tapping his foot and pointing at the fallen cup.)- "Such a messy boy you are Ted...seriously now.......And wipe the floor off with soap and water on a paper towel please"

(Ted picked up the cup and tosses it over his shoulder at the trash and witnesses it bounce off the side again. He leaned over to pick it up, stands up straight and jumps as Leslie stood in front of him with his hand held out)- "Ted...give me the damn cup...*Takes the cup and drops it in the trash*....Now ...clean this mess up...You have made TWO messes which were unecessary from the start...*looks around*...Where are my chopsticks?"

(Ted's head drops and stares towards the trash bin)- I threw them out...."

(Leslie's eyes widen in anger)- "Those were my personal set...You...You through them awaaay?!"

(Leslie grabs Ted by the ear and towards the bathrom where he'd force him to get a paper towel and wet it. Ted adds soap to the paper towel then is drug back out towards the two spills.

(Leslie stood there tapping his foot as Ted cleaned, then turned around, walked over towards the chair to grab his clutch. His foot bumps the chair causing the clutch to fall on the ground. He quickly bends over to pick it up, opens his clutch, pulls out his com-device, then dials Okami's number.)

*Standing near the thick holographic glass shield of the Headmaster's window. Starring out into the abyss of trees and then the mass ocean to the west. Lenn was still figuring out how to manage Leslie's weapon. Kagome was going over a small hand held PC device*

*Issac* "Do you remember the last time we had a trial of pur-ance?"

"............................."

*Lenn* "Pur-ance?"

"A trial to challenge one and only one student or staff member of the Garden. You can walk up to anyone and challenge them. As the case may be that you may only challenge once, you can be challenged a number of times."

*Lenn* "Really?"

*Kagome* "That is correct."

*Lenn* "Can you decline?"

*Dr. Rasmus* "If you wanted to, yes you can decline."

*The sliding doors open up and a member of the communication center runs in*

*Communication staff member* "Mr. Okami, A signal is being picked up. It is related to your call from earlier. The signal is from Hilifax."

"Appreciated, I'll be right there."

*Issac* "Your companion?"

"Yes, if you would excuse me. Lenn, Kagome, please stay here until I return."

*I leave the Office and head towards the communication center where there a loud signal beeps continuously. I reach for the call button and the wide screen opens, revealing Leslie with a slight red to his face. I probably shouldn't ask.*

(Ted would continue to slink towards Leslie slowly until he was right where he wanted to be. He thought to himself)- "The view is nice from down here..."

(While Ted drooled all over the floor, Leslie would tend to the connection)- "Greetings Mr. Okami.....I have some news for you...Some of it good....and Well..some not so good...Which would you like to hear first?"

(Leslie idly brushed his left index finger over his eyebrow as he listened to Okami's response)

*The thought of hearing bad news at this moment couldn't be too bad right. That's what I thought at first. So I got it over with and asked for it*

"Seems like forever that I heard from the mighty Madame Leslie. I thought something might have happened to you."

*Worrying over someone was new, but relevant to the success of this war and to stop the Xias*

"What's the not so good news? The situation hasn't changed has it?"

(Leslie smirked at the genuine air of concern, but not in a bad way)- "Haha...I'll have you know Mr. Okami that it takes alot more than some crazy fuck hurling knives attached to strings to get me down....*he mumbles* Except maybe a good bottle of Skooma..."

(The knive hurler he was referring to had been the deader then dead Grim. Leslie shifted his weight off of his left foot and nearly steps on Ted's hand. Ted snatches his hand away from near demise and wipes away a bead of sweat as a show of relief. Leslie looked down at his boot, (yet he didn't see Ted), then returns his gaze to the screen with red disappearing from his face making him seem slightly pale)- "And in response to the..not so bad news.....Ghloria informed me that upon her prompt arrival into Ti'ana the Xias have grown in considerable number...There seem to be a slew of check points on the way to the Tavern and my girl Laura suspected that the usual path may have been jeopardized......I had them take an alternate route..But...I'm concerned about their safety exiting with a load of weapons..."

*Xias are getting restless. They're beginning to show signs of hostility. Like normal police troopers with a end of the month quota*

"Take any other means necessary. I wouldn't want their lives to be in jeopardy as well. Leslie, I can give you the stoke of midnight, but that's all I can afford right now. The crew to be awaiting for you is in the Dalima boarder. Which means that they will not be waiting any longer past that since that boarder is infested with Lakunos."

*The Lakunos, a breed of little girls that prey on the unfortunate. They scream for help and look innocent until you look at their face. The faces that carry ten eyes. Each to enslave the mind. They say that each eye represents a little girl's eye that they have taken away from their home and devoured.

(Leslie's face grew concerned at hearing about the Lakunos. As with most of the things he's run into he only knew of them by lore passed on by Elders, drunkards, and a few of his more sophisticated clients in a moment of aftercourse chat. He sighed to and thought to himself)- "This trip may be alittle more dangerous if Ghloria doesn't make it in time....I better call her after I'm done here..whoever Oiji chose just wouldn't be enough more likely...Damn..."

(Dr. Hule would be making his way up to the the the patient desk on the 8th floor, stopped to take a look at his chart then headed over towards the room Nessa and the others were in. He rounds the corner into the room and was about to announce his presence when he noticed Ted lying on the floor looking up Leslie's skirt. Dr. Hule was shocked and walked over to Ted and stared at him. After a few moments Ted looked up and saw Dr. Hule and they locked gaze for 2 minutes then Dr. Hule got on the floor next to him and they both enjoyed the view)

(Leslie looks at the ceiling with a worried expression as he talks)- "Midnight............Midniiight...hmph...I'm positive they aren't moving fast to enough to be there by then...I'm hoping they'll leave very soon but if I'm right I'll have to inform them who should escort Ghloria....I have another way out of the mansion....It's a sewer that leads directly from my mansion and leads outside of the border of Ti'ana...*Looks at the screen then places a finger on his chin*...Unfortuantely that sewer has not been used since I first had the mansion and it put in place...so even that I'm unsure if it will be any safer..."

*Requesting a nearby communication staff member. Going over a sketch of some geographical maps.*

"Leslie, If you can get to the outside boarder of Ti'ana, there is an old drilling crew that is actually an anti-Xias convoy. There you'll find a bullet train that was used for the first slave route. The Xias has occupied it now. You'll have to send word that there will be a small group of Xias patrolling, but only a few. Surely they can handle but a few right? That train will take you past every outer checkpoint. It's enough to send massive gigatons of materials. When you reach the end, there will be a strict anti-Xias convoy with actual anti-Xias members waiting. They used it to make trade deals now a days. If they question you with the phrase, ~The righteous stand before the darkness~ You have to reply with, ~And the maker shall guide their hand~"

(Leslie nods his head in acknowlegement)- "I'll make a note of that * touches a spot on the screen and a holo-notpad appears next to it. Leslie speaks the words he was given andd the holo-notepad records it in words and saves, closing itself once it is done*...Noted...And yes they can handle a few brainless targets, but either way my special man will be alongside them..with a quiding voice and hot bullets..."

(Leslie feels some form of air on his legs, he widens his stance and bend over to see Dr. Hule and Ted on the floor looking where they shouldn't. His face flushes red and his ears pinken with fury as he turns around and stands there ready to kill.)- "What in the hell are you two doing on the floor like that..*Watches them stands up and start sweating nervously*...Oh don't looked embrassed now!...I'll give you something to be embrassed about!!..."

(Leslie places the com on the table, walks over to Ted and Dr. Hule and beats them into the next dimension. The com had flipped over conveniently on it's side to catch all the action)

*The com device had shown the scene of what looked to be Ted and a man in a white overcoat flying from one room to the other and then out the hallway*

"Looks like Leslie is still the same as always."

*A communication staff member walks over to observe over the left shoulder of what is going on. He then hands over a slip of paper with detailed coordinates of the train's route and the exact location of the pickup. Sending the data through the console system to his com device. At this moment, I would have no other choice but to standby*

(Leslie had finished beating up Ted and Dr. Hule after hurling all over the place and into the hallway. He dusts off his hands and walks back over to his com and picks up into his left hand)- "I'm...sorry you had to see that Mr. Okami...and... I just recieved the data..*Look it over*...This is manageable Mr. Okami I'll forward once we are done. How are things on your side?"

"The Xias have sent in a spy to this Garden. Unfortunately it had to be a student of the Garden. They would actually send in kids now to do their work. The Xias are getting either more clever, or unwise. None the less, they are desperate. We arrived at the time of the yearly Garden Fest. We have planned out how to seek them out."

*The screen seemed to flicker a bit from time to time*

"Right now, we'll wait and prepare for this evening and I'll standby to hear when your men have arrived with the equipment."

(Leslie tilts his head and folds his right arm over his left)- "Hmm..The Xias have nothing better to do. All their people are highly incompetant that they would send in some child to do their dirty work..Sad...Seems like you've got things tied down on your end it would be best If I hurry and do mine.....By the way...tell Lenn NOT to destroy my precious gun and tell Kai I send warm greetings...I'll call you if anything changes..Take Care"

"I indeed will send word to both from you. Try not to get yourself into too much trouble in the meantime."

*Before shutting down the com station and saying the last word, The screen seemed to flicker once and static hits with a loud interfering noise.*

"Com staff, what's the station undergoing?"

*Communication staff member* "I'm not too sure sir. It's not around here. It has to be around the person that you're talking to."

*The thought of the interference from Madame Leslie's side strung a bit of a nervous chill at the back of the mind*

"Relay any further messages from this person or the party of this person."

*Communication staff member* "As you wish, sir."

*Leaving the communication center and returning to the headmaster's office*

{The world of this place was so amazing. I was looking through shops and food stands all around. Fredrick knew that he had to keep a god eye on me where ever we go. He was taking so many pictures of the place}

"How did you become so fascinated into photography, Fredrick?"

{Fredrick} "Ever since my mother had died. All I had left of her were old photos of her and my father. Father left and went to war. He never came back and I was taken in by Jinx. I think it was because I looked so helpless with my mother's camera in my hands. I want to show the world where I have traveled and I can be remembered as well."

"That horrible about your mother and father, I am sorry Fredrick."

{Fredrick} "It's okay, I don't mind. I've learned to let it go and think what's in front of me, not the past."

{Fredrick continued to take pictures and I was enjoying a small fruit, known as a Gretuin. Kinda looks like a star fruit, but alot slimmer. We walked along bridges and traveled more throughout the place with taxi cabs. I think I got the hang of them, these taxi cabs. We had stopped at a pawn shop where they seemed to sell film. They had a bunch of other cameras there too}

"Hey Fredrick? Look, this camera has a chip instead of film."

{Fredrick} "No, I'm sorry, but I don't like those. I like film that can be taken and developed by hand. Sure they're good, but I'm use to this camera. Even if they run out in this world, I'll cherish these."

{Fredrick was unique in his very own way. He never really smiled, but deep down I could see it clearly. After some time there, we had walked down the street to take more pictures. I was admiring the monuments of huge falcon-like birds perched on top of a large metal fountain. Everywhere I had walked, I found a more unique than the last store. I had noticed one thing as soon as I turned around. Where was Fredrick? We must have departed some time ago, for i didn't recognize the area anymore. I ran back my steps, but everything turn seemed even newer than the last. I raised my hand as soon as I spotted one of those taxi cabs and got in}

{Taxi driver} "Where to pretty."

"Please, can you take me to..."

{Taxi driver} "Hey, you look shaken up. You need a hospital? I'll take you there at once, hold on miss."

{I had no idea what he was talking about, but maybe I could find some help there. I remembered that the Xias had their very own hospital, and they were really kind. I hope that I'll be able to get back to Wei and the others. I would not like to upset them}