Chapter 15: Hunted

Darkness surrounded Vyse as he walked along the cave floor, hearing only his footsteps, but then heard something else, a dry voice that breathed. He turned, staring behind him, as he found nothing, but as he turned ahead did his heard beat much faster then before. For right in front of him was three demon red eyes, paralyzing him with fear.

Vyse only stood there, as a sudden spike shot forth.

“He-Uh!” He rose up, glancing around him, as he looked around, seeing he was within Misty’s quarters, as he sighed in relief, wiping the sweat off his face.

“That nightmare… why is it so real?” He asked himself.

He glanced out into the darkness of the space, his hand against the glass, as he thought back to the dream. He remembered first falling towards a dark planet, within his vanguard. He remembered wondering within a cave of darkness. It was all indeed very startling for him, but nothing compared to what he had witness then.

“Earth… I wonder…”

“Surprised to see you’re up this late.”

Vyse turned, finding the black cat staring at him from behind.

“Its hard to sleep after a dream like that can spook you like hell… especially those eyes… those red eyes…”

“A nightmare getting under the skin of a soldier, now that’s a laugh.”

“Give me a break, that nightmare felt real… but red… I wonder this is Earths doing…”

“Who are you talking too?”

Vyse turned to find Meia standing there, as he looked to the cat, then back to Meia.

“Just myself.” He lied, knowing the truth would not be believable.

“Take it you couldn’t sleep, huh?” She asked, walking to his side.

“Yeah… Meia, did you ever dream that you died?” He asked in a shaky voice.

“Many times… but the worst was set up by Earth… they had us in a intense battle, where both me and Jura were shot down… apparently she, Dita and Hibiki had the same dream. Why do you ask?”

“I had one tonight… only I saw three red eyes glaring at me… I dunno what it was… but the red eyes were enough to freak me out.” He said, looking to the ground, as he panted.

“Your case is different, you have that one paksis within you.” Meia stated, referring to the micro paksis in him.

“Still, it all seems to be real, like a warning.” Vyse mentioned, shaking his head.

Meia slowly walked over to his side, placing both her hands on his shoulders.

“Don’t let it get to you… remember, dreams and reality are two separate places.” She remarked, as she released his shoulders, walking out of the area.

Vyse remained silent, as he thought of what she said, the words truly having a deep meaning.

“Dreams and reality are two separate places.”

The Nirvana once more moved through space, still on course with its home system of the two gender-segregated planets. The ship slowly approached a red planet orbiting near another system, one that seemed to have no forms of life upon it.

“Readings show a desert environment.” Amaro remarked, looking over the readings.

“No signs of human life either.” Bel claimed, as BC sighed.

“The harvest could be setting a trap up similar to what they did before.” BC stated, knowing full well what happened last time.

“It can’t be?”

Vyse only could glance on wide-eyed, seeing the red planet. He rubbed his eyes, focusing his attention deeper upon it, as he took a deep breath, shaking as he did. The crimson clouds surrounding the area, as the sand colored surface glowed in a gold color with the star shining upon it. Vyse stepped away, as he dashed off, heading to the hanger.

“Whatever is down there… I will confront it!”

“There’s movement within the hanger!” Cel mentioned, glancing over to BC as she did.

“I didn’t order anyone to move out! Who’s launching?” BC demanded angrily.

“Vanguard Zero.” Bel answered, BC clenching her teeth.

“Ezra, open a line to his Vanguard, I want to know just what the hell is up to!” BC ordered, growling under her breath.

“Yes Commander.”

A screen immediately came up; Vyse already suited up and seated comfortably within his chair.

“Just where do you get off launching without any orders to even set foot outside?” BC demanded, as Vyse ignored her, as he headed forth into the atmosphere.

“VYSE, ANSWER ME NOW!”

There was a long silence, as Vyse descended through the atmosphere with the umbrella open, the window already snowing up as he moved through, before finally clearing up, as he took deep breaths, before he glanced to the window.

“Something’s down here!” Vyse answered with a hoarsely voice, as the vanguard began to walk forth, the sand already swirling around, brushing against the armored machine

“Your walking into a trap, get the hell out of there?” BC demanded, only to be ignored by Vyse, who cut the line.

“Just where the hell do I need to go?” Vyse asked himself, as he glanced around.

He took several steps, looking around to his left and right, the visibility not too clouded. Several yards behind him did a creature trail him . The sandy ground shook underneath the bots feet, as the armor shook, as he glanced over his right shoulder.

“I know something’s here!” He muttered to himself glancing around.

Sand shot up, as a huge worm towered above the vanguard, as it glanced down at him with its circle shaped, razer aligned mouth roared loudly as it leaped forth at Vanguard Zero. Vyse immediately moved back, evading the large mouth as it once more dove into the sand.

“Shit, times like this I should have taken my enhancement armor!” Vyse muttered to himself, as the waves of sand showered over his vanguard.

Vyse continued to move, as the ground below him shook violently. Immediately did the worm come up from the ground again, it’s mouth wide opened wide as it closed in on Vyse. In a swift instant did his left hand move up, pointing the barrel of the buster gun towards the mouth of the beast, as he opened fire, sending the shot to the upper lip of the beast, blowing it back several feet, its mouth torn apart, as his gun smoked from the shot.

“Nothing but a nuisance.” Vyse commented, as a loud rumble from above caught his attention.

“Vyse, are you there? Vyse, please answer! Vyse!”

“That’s enough Ezra… it’s obviously he’s shut off communications with us.” BC mentioned.

“We can’t pick up his signal either.” Amaro stated.

“There’s electrical storm’s covering the atmosphere, it could be causing his signal to be jammed!” Bel replied.

“Well Captain, what’s your say in this matter?” BC asked, turning towards the Captain.

Magno was about to make her reply, when the alarms immediately went off.

“Enemy fleet approaching from starboard.” Amaro confirmed.

“We can worry about Vyse later; right now let’s deal with the threat.” Magno stated, as BC nodded.

“Dread teams move out!” BC ordered.

Several pods and cubes shot forth, as they fired upon the starboard area of the Nirvana.

“That’s it, you guys are toast!” Bart shouted, launching an assault of several ray cannons upon the earth forces, decimating the enemy fleet.

Slowly did Vanguard Zero approach the cave within the distance. Taking out another pair of seeing goggles, he put them on, in addition placing several of the laser rings on his finger, and taking a shotgun her stole from Barnettes collection. He took a deep breath, as he programmed the doors to shut immediately after three seconds as the doors opened slowly, the sand gusting into the mech.

Hopping out of the mech, he landed on his feet, as he stood, slowly preceding within the dark cave, his footsteps echoed throughout the walls of the cave. He glanced around within the darkness that had swallowed him.

“Now where are you?” He whispered under his breath, his eyes peering side to side, as he waited for the bot to show itself.

Three red eyes glowed, as the inferred scanner locked on to him, as the bot prepared to strike initiating its blade. It immediately launched itself towards Vyse, who rolled aside, as the bot turned, pursuing him. Vyse ran with all his might, making a quick run through the darkness, his eyes already had started to adjust to it, so seeing through it was a lot more easily now.

Immediately did two doors open as Vyse ran inside, swinging to the left side, his hand slapping down upon the panel, as he immediately ordered the doors to shut. Doing so, the doors closed tightly, only to have a huge clatter of metallic fist pound at the door.

“Damn, better get a move on!” He muttered, running along as the doors were torn open.

“Watch your rear!” Meia ordered as a few cubes moved in from behind the dread squadron.

Vandread Dita immediately came forth, showing the pursuing cubes with the mounted beam cannons, blowing them to bits.

“Earth must really be behind to send a huge fleet like this after us!” Hibiki muttered.

“Look out!” Dita mentioned, as a Goliath bot moved forth towards them.

“Time to use the swallow!” Hibiki mentioned, as the two mounted beam cannons on the forearms combined with the pole, making the swallow weapon.

Charging forth, Vandread Dita swung forth, striking the bot dead within the center of its body, as the Vandread moved back, pulling the swallow out from the impact area, and shot forth a high voltage attack to the center, blowing the robot to bits.

Locking the door behind him with several layers of steel, he took several panting breaths, as he walked over to the corner slumping down, as the bot bashed its fists against the door.

“How could I be so foolish, to fall for a trap like this?” He mumbled to himself, shaking his head.

He looked around, before spooting a green haired female laying on the ground. He walked closer, noticing the metallic elf-like ears that spread downward, her yellow armor covering her body like a cloak. He knew just by looking at her that she had to be an android. He quickly placed his hands on her, slowly going through her circuitry, as he reactivated her power core. Taking a few steps back, the androids systems activated, as she pushed herself up, looking directly towards Vyse.

“Who are you?” She asked, as she looked him over.

“I am Vyse, the one who has reactivated you. What may I ask are you?” He replied.

“I am Demi 562, maitinence android of Station Delta.”

Vyse nodded, but the loud groaning sound of metal broke the moment as the bot pulled the door open.

“Demi, target the droid and blast it!”

“Affirmitive… target in sight, preparing to attack now.” She remarked, as she blasted away, sending the bot flying back with one shot from her beam cannon.

“Did that kill it?” Vyse asked, looking towards the doors opening.

“Negative, Model Storm Saber Prototype is equipped with Alpha shielding; my beam cannon cannot penetrate it.”

“Shit! So how the hell are we going to stop this thing?”

Demi walked over to the console, as she placed her hand onto a panel, it glowed brightly, as she remained silent.

“Android unit Wren 274. According to this data, it is the most advanced model yet.” She mentioned.

The loud clanging of doors being opened rang throughout the room, as the door was ripped open by three dark blue claws. Vyse turned, noticing the bot already moving in, as he turned, running to the one open hallway leading out of the room, as the bot shoved the entire door out of the way, as the Storm Saber pursued directly behind Vyse and the android reached the next lab, immediately did Vyse plant his hand on the panel, shutting the heavy doors behind him.

“Where is he located?” Vyse asked, taking a deep breath.

“Level three within sector five.” Demi replied, as Vyse nodded, as he dashed over to the next hallway, knowing by the sounds of metals banging through the locked doors that the bot was well on its way towards him.

Several shots fired forth from two Dread fighters, as they blew apart the remainder of cube fighters.

“All enemy units destroyed.” Bel updated, as she took a sigh of relief.

BC turned towards the Captain, her hands on her hips as usual.

“So Captain, what’s your decision for Vyse?” She asked, the Captain looking back with her frail grumpy glance.

“I recommend we wait for him to return. He is a-”

“Captain, I’ve locked onto his signal.” Cel reported, interrupting Magno, as she pulled up a window, showing the planet and where Vyse was currently located.

“Is he okay?” Misty asked, looking over with a concerned face.

“Ezra, hail Vyse’s Vanguard. Misty, see if you can get him to answer, you may be able to get him to answer.

Misty gave a node, as she left her post, walking over to Ezra, who locked in the communications.

“Vyse, please, at least answer me…” She pleaded, but only got a dead reply.

“Dammit Vyse, why aren’t you answering?” She screamed, outraged he wouldn’t reply to her, the one girl who she knew paid attention to him.

She slammed her hands on the panel, as her teeth gritted against one another.

“For him not to answer to Misty can only mean two possibilities. Either he’s left his vehicle or he could be still ignoring us.” Magno stated.

“He’s not even moving, if anything, he’s abandong the Vanguard.” Cel stated, looking back up at Magno.

“We should send someone down to see just what exactly is going on here.” BC suggested, as Magno nodded.

“Hibiki, fuse with Dita. I need you to go down to the planets surface, find Vanguard Zero and Vyse, and bring them back up here.

“What, why should-”

“That’s a direct order!” BC Yelled, Hibiki only cowering at the tone of her voice.

He immdiatly flew over towards Dita’s ship, as the two fused together, forming Vandread Dita, as they headed down through the atmosphere.

The elevator doors slid open, as both Vyse and Demi ran out. Immediately they dashed through each hallway, determined to reach the room that held the one bot suited to combat the Storm Saber that pursued them from behind.

“Damn it!” Vyse muttered aggravatingly, as he slapped the palms of his hands on his face.

“There something wrong?” Demi asked.

“Yeah, I need to contact the Nirvana. Is there any area that has a line that I could use?”

“Searching data banks…” Demi replied, her eyes glowing green, as she finally stopped, glancing over towards him.

“Yes, according to the data banks, there are several, including one at our main destination point.” She mentioned, as Vyse nodded.

“Good, I should contact the Nirvana as soon as pos-”

The moment was interrupted as the heavy thuds of footsteps grew louder as they moved closer towards their present location.

“Damn, we’d better get a move on!” Vyse suggested, the two fleeing into the one open hallway.

“Dammit, Vyse better have a good reason for coming down on this planet!” Hibiki wined, as he looked out into the sand swirling world.

The Vandread walked forth, as it approached the cave hole where Vanguard Zero was located.

“Vyse, c’mon, answer us already.” Dita pleaded.

No reply came as the huge towering robot reached Vanguard Zero. The vandread immediately shoved the mech down onto the ground.

“Looks like nobody’s home.” Hibiki stated with a sigh.

“Commander, what should we do with Vyse’s machine?” Dita asked, looking at the commander through the window.

“Bring it back up to the shuttle, if Vyse has set out on foot, he’s likely to have some way to communicate with us.” BC ordered, as Hibiki nodded.

“Got it.” He replied, as Vandread Dita picked up the small mech, and quickly blasted off, heading back to the Nirvana.

Quickly did Vyse and Demi enter the room, as the two went in two separate directions; Vyse to the communications panel, while Demi walked over to the capsule where the android Wren was presumably located. Demi immediately got to work in activating the android, while Vyse quickly placed his hands on the panel, opening a channel to the Nirvana, as the bridge cam on screen.

“Vyse to the Nirvana, do you copy?”

“Vyse, where the hell are you?” BC asked furiously.

“Right now I am stuck within an underground base in a bit of a cat and mouse game… I advise you wait for me, as for my Vanguard-”

Immediately did the communication go dead, as the screen became filled with snow.

“Dammit, it must have known I was making contact.” He mumbled, as he turned to Demi, “How much longer til the weapon is activated?”

“Soon, a few more preparations and Wren will be active.” She stated, typing several keys upon the computer panel.

Loud metallic bangs against the door caught Vyse’s attention, as he glanced towards the door, seeing the bumps already appearing through the steel door.

“Demi, think you could go a little faster?” He asked, as he heard her type away at the same pace.

“Error probability increased to seventy-nine percent if rushed any faster. Only thirty-eight seconds and counting.” She replied, as she tapped once more at the panel keys, the slams against the door getting more rapid, as the door was slowly opening.

The doors immediately opened up, as the robot slowly walked inside of the room, its three red eyes glancing over toward Vyse. Immediately did the pod open up, as a shot was fired that canceled out the Alpha, as Demi took aim and fired immediately after, sending the bot flying hard into the wall. Vyse looked to the capsule, as a seven foot, black haired male stepped into view. His eyes were blue, and his ears metallic, and his body was covered in silver armor, a red becon flasher at the center of his torso. Most of his body was covered in black armor, with metallic gloves and boots upon his body.

“Demi, Vyse… I advise you head to the hanger… Leave Storm Saber to me.” He ordered, as he armed his blaster, taking aim towards the rogue robot.

“Wren, what are you-”

“Vyse, we must go!” Demi mentioned, as Vyse sighed, turning toward the nearest door, as he ran towards it, Demi following him from behind.

He shut the door behind him, as a blast was heard, along with several other sounds. Vyse continued to run, closing every door behind him, as they proceeded through the hallway until they reached the lift, a large platform elevator that was capable of transporting large items. Demi walked over to the control panel, slowly activating the power upon the lift, as it slowly creaked, starting to operate.

Wren turned, as his torso area opened, sending one impacting blast out that forced the Storm Saber bot off of his feet. Quickly raising his blaster cannon, he shot forth several beams, as they impacted against the Storm Saber rapidly. He halted his shots, as the eyes of the enemy glowed a deep red, a beam saber ignited out of its left arm, as the bot charged forth, slicing at Wrens own waist, cutting him in half, as the upper body fell to the ground. The Storm Saber turned, charging towards Wren only to receive another shot from the already badly damaged bot.

Immediately did Wren crawl forth, moving slowly toward the Storm Saber, as he grabbed onto his legs. His eyes changed from the usual human eyes to a black screen, as numbers appeared, counting down from five seconds, before he detonated, the sound of the explosion echoed through the hallways.

Vyse looked back, as the elevator moved up the slanted track, heading up into the unknown. He looked back, hearing the loud boom, but said nothing, as he knew the price of sacrifice given.

“So where are we heading?” He asked, looking over towards Demi.

“We are currently on our way towards Hanger-71, where the Pheonix twelve is currently stored.” She mentioned as she remained at the panel of the elevator.

Vyse glanced over to her, for once confused by all that was happening.

“I don’t understand, why are you helping me? I am not your creator and you said you were a maintenance bot here.”

“My priority here is obsolete, in a way I am obsolete. However, you need my assistance; therefore I am here to assist you.”

“Ah, sounds good to me.” Vyse remarked, as a loud banging sound caught his attention, as he glanced to the back of the elevator, looking down to see what appeared to be the Storm Saber, only his entire frame was gone, leaving him opened, wires and inner areas exposed.

“Dammit, talk about high quality.” He mumbled under his breath, as he turned towards Demi.

“Does that thing still have an Alpha shield present?” He asked, as Demi scanned him over.

“No Alpha shield detected.” She noted, as Vyse drew out his shotgun, and fired away upon the pursuing creature, as he hit one of the circuits, an explosion occurring as he fell down into the dark abyss behind the ascending elevator.

“Hope that’s the last we’ll see of him.” Vyse replied, as the Elevator finally reached it’s stop.

The two moved on, passing through several halls before reaching a large room, surrounded darkness, only a few lights that shined from the ground could be seen. His eyes glanced up at the shining gold bird shaped ship that was within the room. Demi moved over to the control panel, as she typed in several commands, a dim line of light shined down into the room.

A rough shaking filled the area, as the dome above began to open, as the sands of the planet began to blow in, brushing against Vyse’s own face. He shielded his eyes from the sands that brushed against his body. Slowly did the portside open, revealing the entrance within the huge shuttle. Vyse squinted, spotting the opening as he dashed over towards it, running inside, as he boarded the shuttle. He glanced around at the numerous panel of buttons lining the entire cockpit of the ship.

“Buckle up, we’ll be going at approximately seven hundred .” Demi mentioned, as she typed several commands, as the Pheonix Twelve took off, blasting up from the launch pad and into the dust filled area.

The ship continued to ascend into the sky, as it finally reached orbit, the dark abyss of space greeting them with the several stars blinking in a sequence. Yet up ahead did he spot the one thing he was looking for, the light blue ship that was none other then the Nirvana.

“Demi, open communications to that ship, we need to state just who we are.” Vyse mentioned, as Demi immediately opened a communication to the ship.

“Sorry about earlier, the line was cut short.” He mentioned, greeted with more aggravated glances.

“It’s good to see your alive and well, but your actions were unacceptable.” Magno answered, raising her voice when she scolded him.

“I’ll fill you in on that when I get aboard… right now a place to park my new toy, any free spots?” Vyse asked, as he unbuckled his belt.

“How about the same place you park your Vanguard, since it is part of your property.” BC replied, as she placed her left hand upon her waist.

Vyse only sighed, knowing already he was in no position to negotiate since his recent disobedience.

“So let me get this straight, you went down to that planet against our orders and made us all worry because of a damn dream?” Magno yelled, as her face shot a grim glance over to her.

“Quriousity sometimes gets the best of us… but I had to face it… I had to face that fear… I had to face that damn robot.” Vyse remarked, glaring back at Magno.

“That’s no excuse. Seeing as putting you in a prison cell and feeding you the menu from the Tarak world is merely a scratch on the back for you, I only have one other option.” Magno mentioned, with a evil smile.

“Try me.”

Vyse sat down in within the Registry department, as he typed in several of the supplies set up. He wore one of the dresses that most registry workers had worn. His bitterly tapped away, assigning the weapons and parts to each of the shuttles that had ordered them. Barnette walked up, smiling as she saw him working.

“I see your working hard.” Barnette mentioned with a smile.

“…” Vyse didn’t reply, as he contined to type away.

Placing her hands on the side, Barnette looked closer, noticing his already disgusted glance in his eyes, as he continued to type.

“C’mon Vyse, remember our motto… Smile, Smile.” She said, pinching his cheeks as he slapped her hand away.

“Smile at this!” He remarked, giving her the sign of the middle finger.

“It’s your own fault for getting yourself into this, so deal with it!” She stated, as Vyse only mumbled several curses under his breath.

Vyse sighed, as he took a deep breath leaning over. His disgusted expression changed, brightening up as he noticed Misty walking in with a bottle.

“I know your punished, but the least I can do is-”

Vyse immediately grabbed it, as he poped open the bottle, starting to drink it down, before his face grew red.

“Vyse, don’t!”

“Hey, were an alcohol free registry, don’t make me-”

She stopped, as one of Vyse’s hands landed on her breast, as he squeezed it, his face now full of a drunken smile. Immediately did Barnette slap Vyse hard on his left cheek, as Misty followed with a punch, as Vyse fell down on the ground, knocked out of his head. Barnette sighed, as she turned around, as she started to walk away. Misty sighed, as she knelt down, taking Vyse in her arms, as she carried him back to her room.

“At least I know you will have sweet dreams.” She said softly, as she carried him all the way to her room.

Authors notes: Sorry its late, but I have been busy as usual. Anyway, to the one who asks for Hibiki and Dita to get together the same way Duero and Parfet have, I don’t have any plans to have that occur, mostly because I would rather they stay on the same track as the original series has them. Anyway, a few more chapters and this fic will be done. Wish me luck on getting these chapters finished.