Across the threshold: Tickling the Dragon's tail 07

Across the threshold: Tickling the Dragon's tail 07

"So you discover a new source of energy and you named it after a foreign comic?" Chipp asked, as he, Bartch and Mordecai sat in the interrogation room. "Pretty much it." Mordecai said, "to be honest, it was a working name until we figure out a better name for it." Well it makes sense." Chipp said "But it doesn't explain the monsters and the Knight's changing form." "The namer theorize that the energy evolves life life to higher forms, reaching their requiem as they say, by causing the cells in a host to be remade, killing anything unnecessary for the host's ." "So how does Verdian play into this?" Bartch asked. "Verdian was an overseer of the Artificial Man Project, some sort of project to develop soldiers that can harness requiem energy for our planet's military." "I thought they were supposed to be scouts." Chipp said. "A group of them are meant to be scouts but they are primarily meant to be the main fighting force for Earth Gaia." "Again with the name!" Chipp said placing a hand to his face, "So why did your planet need a military force?" "Our planet was besieged by two massive super powers, the Grand Imperium and the United Federation. Our government had hired Lightbringers to build an army to defend our planet. To help with the Artificial Man Project, some of us went to develop a way to harness requiem energy, hence the F.U.Z.O.R and prototypes." "Prototypes? Chipp asked, "Yeah, prototypes for the Zero Cores. 85 of them were made before Verdian and I broke away from Lightbringers Inc and the 14 Jewels. I made most of them, 51 in all." Bringing out one of the chips from Dirsh, Bartch asked Mordecai, "Mordecai, is this one of them?" Looking at it, Mordecai said, "Yes, were did you get that?" "From the knights," Bartch explained, "after the attack on Dirsh." "Look, I saw what happened, I saw it on the news, but I know Verdtrus, there has to be a reason for all this!" "Is there?" Chipp said, "then explain!" "Look when Verdian broke off with the Jewels, he did it because there were higher ups who planned on using the technology and Null Units to wipe out half the universe." "Really?" Chipp said sarcastically, "So a big bad corporation is the bas guy? You're not pulling our leg here are you?" "No I'm not!" Mordecai  exclaimed, "Look Verdtrus is many things but-!" "You asked about monsters?" Bartch asked suddenly. "Yes?" Mordecai said uncertain, "Were they part of the Red Dragon army?" "No." Chipp  answered, "they were constructs. Created from the very chips that you made." Sinking back, Mordecai asked, "What else you want?"

Outside Katie and Matt stood in the parking lot with the red catira at their side, "So, what is your name?" Katie asked, "Since Chipp has decided to take up with your group's offer, we should get acquainted with each other." "They call me Eric." The red catira, Eric mumbled, "I'm just the voyeur." "*sigh* Geez," Matt said, "not much of a talker are you?" Elbowing the ursan, Katie said, "So Eric, you're a voyeur with this Social Court? What did you guys do and where are you from?" "We're an independent group from out of country." Eric explained, "We help people in secret." "I need you to be specific. " Katie stated, causing Eric to stare at her. "You know, " Katie said, "helping the civilians, stopping badguys, that sort of thing." Eric looked away from Katie, saying, " I kill the bad guys." "You kill-" Matt asked "What are you saying?" "I kill bad guys that's what I do!" Eric explained, "What else do you want to know?" Immediately, Katie stepped in between the two and said, "Okay, okay let's calm down a bit!" Turning to Eric, Katie asked, "Are you a mercenary?" "No," Eric answered,  "I'm a soldier."

Meanwhile...

"Alright let's begin!" Eithine called out to Bakore as he stood in front of Tavo. The remaining crew of the Grendel was outside in the quarry as Tarrot's and Kaiser's groups arrived in the Bucketheads' buggy and a hovercraft that the Red Dragon army had stored in the Grendel. Immediately, Tavo transformed into his dragon like form, while Bakore revealed a red belt with gold piping. Hopping out of the Buggy, Kaiser saw Bakore attaching the belt as it beeped and asked Tarrot, "What's your comrade doing?" "Not sure." The humonculus answered as he and the other travelers lept out. "So what do I do?" Bakore asked fidling with the device, "I push this pump here?" "Yes," Eithine said, "your mission is to beat Tavo in single combat.  The X-injector should be able to make your stronger. The activationcode is Change form"  "Okay," Bakore said, pushing the pump, "anything to stop G Zero. CHANGE FORM!" Suddenly sparks covered Bakore's body shocking the humonculus  and forcing him onto his knees. Rushing to Bakore, Verdtrus asked helping the Humonculus up, "Bakore! Are you all right?" Seeing this, Omnidec rushed to Bakore and grabbed his other arm, "Don't worry bro," he said "I got you!" Turning to Omnidec, Verdtrus demanded "Omni, where the heck were you!?" "Jewels." Tameron answered motioning to the others, "When we went to rescue Omni and Flaron, the Jewels were there waiting for us." Turning to the Bucketheads, Verdtrus said "Thank you." before he and Omnidec carry Bakore away. "Excuse me." Eithine called out, "a word?"

Immediately Jerry asked approaching Eithine, "What do you want?" Turning to the Buckethead, Eithine explained, "Yesterday, we were attacked by a local militia upon our entry. Judging from the way they ran away, I theorize they went back to the border between North and South Atlantia. I know what I'm about to ask is unusual, but did you get anything about a ship flying over the border yesterday? " "Why should we tell you anything?" Jerry demanded.  "Look, our target is the leader of the northern invasion front. Do you want your comrades to gain an edge in the conflict or not?" "Not if it means helping you!" Jerry emphasized pointing at the numian.  Taking a deep breath, Eithine turned and said as she walked to the ship, "Very well, we'll be here when your change your mind." Jerry grunted and walked towards the Humbee calling out, "Primo let's go!" As Primo followed Jerry, Tameron then ran up to the two saying, "Hey guys!" Turning to the knight, Jerry exclaimed, " What!?" "Look, thank you for helping me find my friends?" Tameron said, "If I could " "Don't worry," Primo said, "but if I were you, I grab your lady friend and who ever else you hold dear and get away from these guys as fast as possible."

Later in the Desert Condor...

Q called out raising his glass, "(Waiter!)" In the Desert Condor, most of Chipp's team, the Gamma squad, (yes that's their name) were sitting in the restaurant enjoying the drinks. Taking a shot, Chipp said to Katie, "We're going at a two pronged attack. I'll lead the first group to North Atlantia to see of anyone has seen that ship, the Grendel as Mordecai called it." "Alright, you're going to allow Scott take the second team?" "No." Chipp said, "I want you to lead." "Excuse me!?" Katie asked, "What about the kid?" "He's coming with you, we're bringing the duck guy with us to the north, just in case." "Chippy," Bartch said, putting down his drink, "I don't think this is a good idea." "We will cover more ground this way. Besides, the distance is shorter, if one of the groups find something, the other will come to their aid as well." "Chippy, we are heading into a warzone! Even if we cross into the mainland of both continents, crossing the border will likely to get us killed." "What do you suggest?" Chipp demanded, pounding the table, "For three days these kids have ran circles around us while we have been struggling to keep up, just like Darkoni!" "Chipp, we stopped Darkoni and the Crimson Armada with just five agents! I think we need to change our plan of attack on this case." "Hey Bartch," Katie asked, "did you visit Virginain?"  "She called me when we left the main base," Bartch said turning to Katie, "she checked out of the hospital and she's going to be back on duty by week's end." "At least she's back on her feet," Chipp said after taking a deep breath, "We need all the help we can get."

Starring at the glass in his taloned hands, Wisey pondered over what Voidmond said, 'If you want to stop me, then use this F.U.Z.O.R!' "Something on your mind?" Chase asked, noticing Wisey's visage. " That Voidmond guy, he tossed a device to the reptilian, Mordecai. When everyone else arrived, I saw him, carry it off in his arms as he walked with that woman from the apartments." "That woman was his nurse." Chase explained, "Did it look like a belt?" "Yeah, it was a belt." Wisey stated sitting up, "You saw it?" Looking at to the garuda in the purple sweatshirt and Eric, Chase said, "Yes, but let's not talk about this now. I don' ttrust these Socialist Court freaks as far as I can shoot them!" "Geez! That's dark!" Wisey commented with a wince. "I am a sniper," Chase said, "I take out threats when no one else can." "What about your hovercraft?" Wisey asked but Chase rebutted, "That besides the point. Look, Let's continue this later, for now let's focus on getting these guys." "You got it!" Wisey said after raising his glass. "FOR PEACE AND THE PEOPLE!"he exclaimed, causing everyone else to answer, raising their glasses, "FOR PEACE AND THE PEOPLE!"

To be continued...