Author’s note: I realize that this fic is getting a bit dark. Just to warn you it will remain so for a couple of episodes.
Episode 18
Lu surveyed the rubble before him. What was left of the Dark Wave base lay before him like a corpse. As far as he could tell the pile of mobile suit parts and equipment upon which he now stood, was once one of the Dark Wave’s primary weapons factories. Judging from the warmth still emanating from the random parts of Serpents and Space Leos he came across, the attack had occurred only this morning.
He and Sheder had stumbled upon this site by accident. They had been searching apparently abandoned resource satellites in hopes of finding Rowan, when they discovered what was left of the facility. While they hadn’t found her, this carnage seemed to be her handiwork.
Several Dark Wave installations had suffered the same fate in the past few weeks. It seemed that Rowan had taken it upon herself to single handedly wipe out the Dark Wave. Lu shuddered as he spotted what appeared to be a hand sticking out of the remains of one of the Serpents. It was clear that Rowan was no longer opposed to killing. What did they do to you to make you so willing to take a life? Will there be anything left of the woman I love when we finally find you?
At first he hadn’t believed Solo and Jade when they told him about their encounter with Rowan. He couldn’t believe that Rowan would wipe out an entire base without a hint of remorse, and he certainly didn’t think that she would ever injure Jade. It took a trip to the colony in the K-11 area where the base had once stood for him to believe it. I will get them for doing this to you. I will save you from yourself. Whatever it takes.
The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. "No survivors." Sheder almost groaned. Lu knew this situation was hitting her hard as well.
"I guess we should go then." He sighed.
"I wonder if she’s still nearby."
"Probably not. From what Solo said, that suit of hers is incredibly fast. She’s long gone by now."
Sheder nodded. "I’m afraid for her Captain. Even when we were Furies she never killed with such abandon. She’s clearly out of control. I’m worried about what will happen when we find her."
Lu bowed his head. Poor girl, to have to watch her sister’s sanity crumble like this. I know she wants to help Rowan just as badly as I do. "I think we’re all a little afraid of that moment." He placed a hand on the blonde’s shoulder. "But I won’t give up on her."
Sheder nodded. "Nor will I."
***
The Commander paced back and forth across the shuttle bay. Megaere said he wanted to meet him there and he hadn’t appeared yet. Genetic freak…I would have destroyed him months ago, if the damn Fury process didn’t take so long to complete. Now he has allowed Alpha to escape and go on a rampage. I knew we shouldn’t have placed the girl back on the narcotics once we reacquired her, why did I allow Megeare to have his way? We should have just lobotomized the bitch and been through with it. Now she’s almost as disturbed as he is, and she’s attacking us. She’s worse than the Preventers. The Commander shook his head. Things were not looking very good.
"Ah…Commander, sorry I was late, but I had some pressing business to attend to."
"Something having to do with Alpha I hope. This situation has gotten out of hand. She destroyed another one of our facilities this morning; that makes six in the past three weeks."
"Alecto is just having a little fun at our expense. Not very friendly of her, I’ll admit, but its all a game just the same."
"A game…" The Commander roared. "The future of our cause is at stake. We can not continue to fight both Preventer and a rouge Fury. The Dark Wave could crumble if something is not done soon, and you say this is all a game?"
"I don’t believe I like your tone."
"Don’t like my tone…listen you freak. I made you. You were nothing more than a shuttle pilot when the Dark Wave found you. I made you what you are now…"
"Yes you did." Megaere interrupted. "And I don’t believe that I ever properly thanked you for it." He continued a peculiar glint coming to his eyes.
The commander felt uneasy all of the sudden. He began to back away from the pilot. Megaere licked his lips and stepped towards him. "I really should thank you, its only proper after all."
The Commander shook his head. "Really, son there’s no need."
"Oh but I insist."
***
The engineer rubbed his temples for what must have been the hundredth time since Megaere handed him the plans that now lay before him a half-hour ago. Is this guy serious? I can’t do this properly in a month. Hell, I probably couldn’t get this right in a year.
***
Megaere sighed as a resounding snap filled the air of the shuttle bay. He let the Commander’s limp body fall to the floor. He wiped a little blood away from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. I can’t believe the old bastard got a shot in.
He looked down at the body. "I never liked you anyway…you were never any fun. Things will be a lot better now that I’m in charge." He kicked the body a few times for good measure.
He held his arms out and stretched. "My, my what to do now? I have to talk to Alecto siblings shouldn’t fight after all. But she’s hiding from me again. What to do…what to do?" He scratched his chin.
Then it came to him. The boy! He was the key. And with the engineers working on my new toys it would be easy to lure him into a trap. Then all I’d have to do would be to sit back and wait for Alecto to appear. Megaere smiled and knelt down next to the Commander’s head. He leaned over and whispered in his ear. "You see, you just don’t understand people the way that I do. Alecto loves that boy for some reason, so if I want to bring her out of hiding all I have to do is threaten him."
He laughed and stood again. His smile broadened at the thought of the pain Alecto would go through as she watched her lover’s head being ripped from his body. He licked his lips in anticipation. This is like Christmas…new toys and family reunions. "Being in charge is so much fun!"
