Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition (7 page)

Young Minds Pt. 3

Time: Three years prior.

Location: Beta Earth—Syndicate headquarters.

A council of old men sits in a semicircular meeting room surrounding an eighteen-year-old young man named Gaidon. It's not mistake that their council room and setup mimics the United Federation's council. Most of elder members are defected U.F. members. The rooms' low chatter stops immediately when he steps up to speak. “Make no mistake, I did kill my parents. I will do whatever it takes to secure my rightful spot on the Syndicate Council.” Syndicate Councilman Riddick grins.

“I like the look in that boy’s eyes. I’ll vouch for his value.”

“How do we even know if he is telling the truth? He reeks of desperation. We should toss him back out into the badlands where we found his family.” Syndicate Councilman Odlong interjects. Gaidon frowns at the statement.

“Easy now. Let’s not forsake this boy’s parents. They nearly tripled our overall revenue and reestablished some lost Syndicate branches on Earth for us.” Syndicate Councilman Lisen says.

“Exactly. His parents did it, not him. He is useless to us.” Councilman Odlong says.

“Don’t be so hasty. Anyone who would kill his parents like that for power certainly shows great ambition.” Councilman Lisen replies. The Syndicate councilmen debate Gaidon's situation. He waits patiently and hides his contempt well. It disgusts him to have to listen to these old farts and obediently wait decide his fate. He decides then and there it will be the last time they will hold his future in their hands. All he needs is one break, one chance to grow into his own.

“I say we let the boy take over what his parents started, strengthen our influence on Earth. Hell, it’s practically a banishment anyway.” Councilman Riddick says. Councilman Lisen nods.

“I concur. It’s a low-risk way to evaluate him. Any objections?” Councilman Odlong starts collecting his files.

“As if I would waste any more of my time on him. Cast him off.”

Lisen looks at Gaidon. “Well, this is your chance, Gaidon. Go to Earth and make a name for yourself.” Gaidon looks at all of the councilmen.

“I will, I promise.” He replies with a hidden grin.

A New Day Pt. 3

Location: Earth—City District 8, tenth floor of the Syndicate building.

Time: Four years later (current)—one year after Vin became leader of Faux Forsaken.

Gaidon sits in his small chair going over his abundance paperwork. His office is a small, windowless room with books and file cabinets wall to wall. Eva, a beautiful young secretary, enters the room. She walks over to Gaidon's desk and piles some more files on his desk, she places them next to the others. “Dammit!” Gaidon leans back in his chair.

“More paperwork? Those old bastards are smarter than I thought. They realize that I am gaining too much too fast, so they bog me down with all this idle crap.” Eva grins slightly and Gaidon catches it.

“The resent death of Matthew Vellian was no accident Gaidon.” Eva says.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Gaidon asks. Eva touches the files on his desk.

“They notice you and your attempts to expand.” Gaidon returns upright in his chair.

“Yeah, I guess it is going as planned.” Gaidon looks over to Eva. “I couldn’t have gotten this far without you and I still have no idea why you would choose to follow a grunt like me.” Eva looks around Gaidon’s small, quaint office.

“I am in debt to your father and mother. They took me off the streets of Beta Earth and groomed me for this very position.”

“Mother and Father, huh?” Gaidon toys with his pin. He loses himself in his thoughts. Eva uses this moment to ask a question she has been wondering.

“Have you heard from your younger brother … Eugene?” Gaidon grasps his pin tightly. He looks at Eva and ignores her question.

“Things are only going to get harder from here on. I’ve reached my plateau of influence. If I gain any more influence or power, I risk reprimand or even worse assassination attempts from the Syndicate council. I need to blitz this next part of my plan.” Eva places another folder on Gaidon’s desk. He picks it up and examines its contents.

“I’ve scouted most if not all of the potential gangs we listed. Three of them have agreed to join our cause and even assimilate into the Syndicate under you.” Gaidon grins.

“Good. And the others?”

“The Molbis gang is still contemplating. I think they are waiting to see what the Faux Forsaken will do.”Gaidon puts the folder down. “Forsaken … those guys are key.” Gaidon thinks for a moment. Eva watches Gaidon and secretly admires his handsome facade. Gaidon turns to Eva and looks deeply in her eyes. “Actually, I need their leader.” Gaidon says in a low voice. His demeanor causes Eva to smile and blush slightly.

“Once I have him, all the others will fall into place.”

“Their leader, Vin, is greatly respected and feared. But he seems honorable, which is rare,” Eva adds. Gaidon nods in confirmation. “Exactly, and he has expanded the Faux Forsaken twenty fold since he joined. I am willing to bet that it is because of his noble methods.”Eva walks over to Gaidon’s desk and sits on the corner.

“And what makes you think he will join us?” Eva says almost teasingly. Gaidon leans back, picks up the folder and continues to browse though its content.

“It’s simple … I’ll just erase all other options for him. He will have no choice.” Eva smiles and adjusts her glasses.

“And you wondered why I would join up with you,” she says.

“Let’s get to work.” Gaidon replies with a smile.

Reunion

Location: Earth—Redemption base—city district undisclosed.

Akari walks past security and down a long hallway. As she walks, Akari surveys the state-of-the-art technology embedded in the building. Finally she stops at a large office. The name plate on the door: General Quell Taurus.

Akari waves her temporary badge across the access reader. A LCD display by the reader flashes the message:
Meeting confirmed
. The door slides open. Akari steps inside and the door slides shut behind her.

The office is large and very high tech. Books lace the walls of the office, some propped up by trophies and medal cases. The room has no windows but large wall displays act as windows. Quell has these set as a midday sky with a small park below.

A sixty-two-inch electro-optical crystal vision, or E.O.C.V., displays the news and also building security information along the sidebar. General Taurus works on his computer as Akari approaches. He closes his documents to conceal his work. “Welcome, Akari. Please have a seat.” When General Taurus speaks. The E.O.C.V. lowers its volume automatically.

“I’m impressed. You’ve come a long way, Quell.” Akari says as she sits down in the chair across from General Taurus.

“I could say the same.” Taurus replies. Akari looks around Quell’s office.

“So to what do I owe this invite?”

“As you know I just returned from Beta Earth a little while ago. While there, we learned much by studying Kamon.” Akari’s eyes widen at the mention of Kamon.

“You must have found out something very important. I mean, they promoted you to General and have you running this organization.” General Quell slides a folder to Akari. “You know the deal but I must preface. The information you about to receive is classified.”Akari accepts the folder.

“Of course.” she replies.

“We found that the XR 2-012 incident can and most likely will be repeated in the near future.” Akari shifts in her seat after hearing that bit of information.

“How near?” she asks.

“Very near ... and by studying Kamon we were able to find out approximately what we are dealing with.” Akari opens the folder and begins to read the contents.

“Did Kamon show any new symptoms?” Akari asks.

“Yes. It all started with visual resonation, levitation, increased strength, and speed. The resonation created a barrier around his skin. However, Kamon’s body couldn’t handle it. His skin was literally burning off.” Akari looks up and smiles.

“Heh, burning. How ironic considering all the sins that man has made.” Quell disregards her comment and continues.

“We were able to save him using a costly method but … well. We ended our research then and there.” Akari sits up in her chair with a displeased look on her face. “

You saved him? After what he did to Clave and Rena, I should kill him myself.”

“It was not an option to let him die Akari. And killing him now would be extremely difficult, even for you.”

“What did you do to him?” Akari asks. Quell leans forward.

“We preserved a few of his vital organs that didn’t burn. His brain, lungs and heart. We encased what survived in, well ... A specialized metallic body.”

“What? Why in god's name—you know that percentage of prosthetics is illegal!”

“I know. This actually brings me to why I asked you here Akari. But please let me first finish my briefing on the time spent on Beta Earth. It is important that you grasp the full situation.” Akari is now intrigued and as well as slightly disgusted to know that Kamon is still alive. “The Beta Earth Liberation Organization has allied with the Final Bloodline Cult on Beta Earth. With their combined resources, they were able to hide the rest of the subjects of Project Guardian. If even one of those people has the potential of the one we captured XR 2-012, we are in huge trouble.” Quell explains. Akari flips through the folder pages as Quell talks. She absorbs the information at an impressive speed.

“You think they will use them as weapons?” she asks. Quell nods in affirmation.

“We assume that to be their plan but we have noticed mental degradation among those who show even slight resonation. They can’t control them, which means this war could just turn into a chaotic bloodbath.” Akari turns another page. She continues to review the material she speaks.

“So, B.E.L.O. has a pretty sizeable main force and they are using the Final Bloodline organization and those subjects as their trump card.”

“Yes. In the same way that we at Redemption. Are the trump card organization for the United Federation. Our job here is now to capture and contain all of those test subjects.” Akari looks up from the folder.

“You don’t need my help for capture missions.”

“You are right. If worse comes to worst. We may have to kill the test subject. That is why Kamon 2.0 was created but Kamon will need help. I was hoping to hire Clave.” Quell says. Akari stops reading and shakes her head.

“You want me to let son and metal father fight side by side. How sentimental of you ... but no.” Quell can see the disdain in Akari’s face. It’s clear she doesn’t want Clave anywhere near Kamon.

“Actually, alloy father ... Akari. You can’t be selfish with him—”

“Oh, and you can be with your son?” Quell looks down. She has struck a nerve. Quell collects himself and continues.

“I’ve been monitoring Vin this whole time and I’ve noticed his resonation is rising as well.”

“You would send Clave after him?” Akari asks hoping to call Quell out on any hypocrisy.

“If I had to –” He leans back and rubs his face. “I would.” Akari can see he is pained by the thought. “I’ve prepared myself for the possibility of that day. Even when he was a child. He … he would fluctuate in his sleep.”

Akari stares at the closed folder. She could not make the same choice with Clave. Yes she puts him in dangerous situations but she always provides him with the tools to succeed. Clave isn’t even her blood but she never betrays him. So she doesn’t believe Quell would betray his own son ... even if he turned out to be some sort of abomination. Taurus sighs deeply.

“Honestly Akari. I am doing all this to save Vin and Anul. I have to find a cure to this situation before it drifts out of hand. If Vin can’t control himself. Or if the U.F. somehow finds out he is one of them–”

“I understand. You are heavily invested in this situation. You and your family.” Akari interjects. A notification alerts on Quell’s computer and he checks it out.

“Uh, Akari. Sorry to change subjects but there is someone I want you to meet.” Quell holds down his intercom button. “Come in.”

A pretty young lady enters the room wearing a Redemption riot uniform and stands at attention. The young lady introduces herself. “Hello. I am Lana Mizrahi. A part of Redemption’s Riot Control Unit.” Akari examines the girl, looking at her hair, her eyes and her physique. “Interesting last name, young lady.” Akari says. General Quell stands up and smiles.

“She is one of our top members. It won’t be long before she is in command of her own squad.” Akari can tell he is proud of Lana. His brag is like one a father would give about his daughter. Lana looks to the general.

“Is there something you needed, sir?” Quell nods.

“Yes, but it can wait till later. I just wanted you two to meet.”Akari stands and shakes her hand.

“I’m Akari.” Lana looks at Akari and is impressed with her confidence. Akari isn’t the biggest lady but she carries with her an impressive presence. Without even knowing her very well, Lana can feel that she would be an extremely formidable opponent. Akari leans in close to Lana.

“Build your confidence and your resolve. This game is even tougher for us women, Lana. You have to be strong—no, the strongest—in order to protect what you hold dear in this world.” Lana looks at General Taurus and then nods to Akari understandingly. Akari rest her hand on Lana shoulder. “Welcome to the world of the elite, young lady. I’m sure you’ll one day be legendary ... just like your sir name suggests.”

“Umm, thanks.” She replies. Lana doesn’t understand what Akari means. But her words are strangely reassuring.

“I know we had a meeting scheduled but I’m still busy with Akari. We can reconvene later this afternoon.” Quell says. Lana nods and salutes and moves to exit the room. She briefly looks back at Akari. She is glad that Quell introduced her. Lana already knows she wants to be like Akari or at least have her presence. Akari and Quell sit down.

“She doesn’t know does she?” Akari says.

“What are you referring to?” Quell asks.

“The power she possesses. She is timid but I could see something else emanating from her.” Akari says.

“You are as perceptive as ever Akari. Lana was found at a Project Guardian test site. She is living proof that the mental defects only affect men.”

“So the next XR 2-012 will be a man. But if that’s so how did she end up with her abilities?”

“She is an anomaly to put it simply. She should have no resonation. Yet, under the right conditions, her power is off the charts—and by off the charts I mean on par with synthetic meteorite. Enough to light a city ... for starters.” Quell says.

“Under the right conditions? What did you do to her?” Akari asks.

“We are still taking things slow with her. She is potentially a walking bomb. That much energy should not easy to contain. Yet she does, subconsciously.”

“That explains her timid nature.” Akari says.

“Her mind is protecting her body. She is unknowingly suppressing her abilities to far lower states in order to keep her power in check.” Akari looks through her folder.

“She has parents?”

“We think she is directly related to Exari. He may have been her brother or cousin but other than that we have no record.” Quell replies.

Akari looks up and smiles.

“Cute—immaculate conception.”

“She may as well have been. She can’t be re-created.”Quell replies. Akari puts her folder down and looks at Quell.

“I see ... so Kamon and Lana, they will be your cleanup crew?”

“And hopefully Clave. This project must be silenced once and for all. We are gathering intelligence on the subjects as we speak. Soon we will move to deal with all the Project Guardian members.” Quell slides a small chip across the table to Akari. “It’s hard enough to get in contact with you. So on that chip are the relays for the mission specs. As soon as you decide to join the fray, contact me for the mission code. Enter it and that device will pull up the coordinates and the mission details suited for Clave.”

Akari picks up the chip and examines it closely. “Because of Clave’s relationship to Kamon. He will no doubt be dragged into all this sooner or later. Have him join on your terms Akari.” Quells says.