Fanfiction by Calis Cheah

The quiet hum of machines and computers were the only sounds that accompanied her. Watching figures and complex scientific formulae flashed across the myriad screens mounted on the walls, Reya was nonchalant. She had come to make her report to the man who never even acknowledged her presence enough to turn away from his work to regard at her once.

" I trust the classes went smoothly, " He spoke indifferently. The sound of his voice carried a disembodied quality as if he was not totally of this earth but a spirit.

" Yes, everything proceeded without any problems. The current crew of students shows a lot of promise. A few of them have already demonstrated good leadership capabilities. I'm sure live exercises can be conducted sooner than projected. "

" Indeed...? If that is so, then bring the exercises forward. You should know that presently, the war effort on the surface is not exactly going well. Those Elruean Lambs prove surprisingly hard to deal with. "

" Elru? " The mention of the desert land invoked a sense of apprehension in Reya but outwardly her composure remained unperturbed as before.

" Yes, Elru. They have been able to resist most of the invasion attempts up to now and there is no doubt that Shevat, that cursed country is covertly giving them aid. Seems that their underhand methods have not changed much even after almost five hundred years. Will Elru become the next victim of betrayal this time? "

Krelian spoke as if to himself, the words barely above a whisper yet Reya heard each word clearly. They were expressed apathetically but Reya was certain that she sensed an undercurrent of rage behind them. Shevat and Elru? Betrayal? Every Solarian knew that the other city in the sky was an age-old enemy and the name Shevat was anathematized. Yet not many understood the true reason behind the enmity that had endured for centuries. Perhaps, he is the only one who knew the reason besides Emperor Cain and the Ministry...

Although many people thought of Krelian as an emotion vacuum devoid of all human feelings, Reya knew better. Through all the years she had spend by his side, she had seen most of the hidden facets of his personality but she was no closer to understanding him.

" You speak the Elruean tongue, don't you? "

" I did studied the language... Are you thinking of mediating? "

" Perhaps that would come in useful if ever the fools decide to surrender but no, mediating serves no purpose. Lambs loved war too much. " A barely discernable tone of regret accompanied the last statement.

" But the war has dragged on for so long. Surely, they are tired and hoping for peace... " Reya started to argue.

" Impossible. " The rebuttal was swift, cutting her off. " Humans never change. Bloodshed, dissension, treachery, deceit, all this qualities are inborn in them. Have history not proven this over and over again? Motivated by greed, they will fight until everything is destroyed. Nothing has changed and never will. Peace is nothing but a lie. "

" You sound... as if you hate humanity... " Reya's eyes rested on his back as she made her observation.

Krelian did not turn his head to return her glance but his hands stilled for a moment, resting on the keys of his computer before resuming their activity. " Hate? Humanity? They are nothing to me. "

Reya frowned a little, expecting to hear the words that were left unsaid. Nothing... how you lie even to yourself. No, there are still 'things' that you care about... He had said much more to her than usual but Reya was not going to push her luck by asking him any more questions.

" How is the progress on Imarla? "

Her Gear... Igraine's Gear...

" Cellular fusion is at 37% but the preliminary trials conducted on the AR detected a problem. Repeated scenario testing resulted in actions and responses that are too erratic and unpredictable. The primary reason has been traced to the insufficient DNA information. "

" Is the AR system structure still fundamentally sound? "

" It is but some modifications might have to be done. The level of synchronization should be the same as that of an Omnigear. However, it will never be able to match the Extra Sensory control I have with Caliginus. "

" That is good enough. Do whatever needs to be done on the cellular fusion process, I will check the AR system again myself. You have your orders. "

" Very well then, I will take my leave, " Inclining her head, Reya acknowledged the dismissal, leaving the man with his dreams and machines.

" Control, do you copy? This is Red Leader; units have commenced entering into Sector 4301. No enemy units sighted so far, " Static cracked as the young pilot reported in, scanning the terrain as his Gear covered the ground rapidly.

" This is Control, Red Leader. Proceed with extreme caution. Intelligence indicates presence of a large group of heavily armed Gears in the vicinity. Check your heat detectors. "

" Understood. Relaying orders to all units. "

Switching the intercom unit off, Bernan looked about him in amazement. If he did not know better, he would have swore he was already on the surface. Contrarily to the dull and drab wasteland he had been expecting, the simulation's live interactive environment painted a different picture. The grassland on which his Gear traipsed was a sheet of emerald waves, undulating and bending with the force of the wind.

Is this really the surface where Lambs live? They certainty don't deserve it. Left alone, those lowlifes would probably destroy everything and themselves in the whole process. That's why we have to rule over them, we the 'Abel', the Shepherds. Bernan smirked openly; he was proud being a member of the Gazel, the ruling class of Solaris. The position of Red Leader should only fall naturally to him since Second Class citizens were good for nothing except maybe being cannon fodder.

In fact, he held the man who was his commander in contempt. Bernan was not foolish enough to let it show since regardless of how he felt, Kahran Ramsus was a full member of the elite Elements class. Rumors had it that Ramsus was born on the lower levels of Solaris so Bernan drew the only logical conclusion that he must have been a decedent of Lambs. At least, he was grateful that he was not assigned under the Fire Element. He's nothing but a disgusting Lamb! Look at that skin and hair! How the top brass could accept this sort of trash into Jugend is beyond me. Just wait... things will change once I take over... I'll show them where their places are!

Lost in his own dreams of glory, the arrogant young pilot failed to notice the warning flash of his heat detector until it was too late. A bright flare of light exploded right before his eyes, blinding him.

" What!? What's going on? Units, report! " Bernan barked frantically into his intercom as he tried vainly to take stock of the situation.

Unable to see anything, he panicked. Even though the targeting system of his Gear was perfectly functional, clearly indicating enemy units, Bernan totally lost control. Swinging his Gear in the opposite direction, his only thought was to get the hell out.

" Ambush! The Blues have surrounded us! Damn! I can see any... " Communication died abruptly leaving only the buzz of a lost channel.

" Red Leader! This is Red2, under heavy fire! Requesting assistance! I repeat..."

More reports from his units filtered in and got cut off one by one. Bernan did not care; his only concern was keeping himself in one piece. Knowing that Blue enemy Gears would be focused on wiping out the futile resistance put up by his remaining units, he could buy himself sometime to recover his sight and hide before they discover him and pursue.

Bernan was starting to congratulate himself when a blast hit from the back, blowing a leg off his Gear, effectively crippling him. His vision cleared only to find himself looking up at the barrel of an enemy Vulcan cannon.

" Shit! "

In less than fifteen minutes, the entire Red squadron was annihilated.

The images on the huge screen in the lecture hall slowly faded as system control shut down the live interaction interface. Many of the participating students from the Red company looked a little dazed, stumbling a little as they picked themselves up out of the simulation cockpits. Members of the Blue flashed victory signs at each other and Sigurd complimented the assigned squad leader on his ability.

" Good job. It was a brilliant tactic shutting down the engines to eliminate heat emission. " The elated young pilot grinned from ear to ear receiving praise from the Fire Element.

The same could not be said for the Red squad leader. Bernan's face was sulky and it did not help matters that his squad mates threw him disgusted looks. His incompetence had cost them the Red's position on the 'kill' chart. The chart was an idea thought up by the Jugend students themselves to estimate their company's progress. All 'casualties' were tallied and added to the charts after an exercise. The Reds had been leading until Bernan's turn at taking command. Now they had fallen behind the closely matched Blues and Greens.

" Alright, now for the usual stuff. 15 minutes for debriefing then everyone join in for the analysis, " Reya announced as she moved off the lectern towards her Green company. They had been allotted the less exhilarative duty of observers.

A lively debate on battle tactics was developing among her company when an angry shout interrupted. Everyone turned their heads towards the source of the disturbance. A quick glance told Reya what the problem was - Kahr and his disgruntled squad leader were arguing. The young man's face was full of scorn and he looked more than ready for a fight. Rising from her chair, Reya hurried over even as Sigurd did the same.

" I don't have to stand here and take this crap from you! So what if you are an Air Element? You are still a cheap 3rd Class Citizen's get. Who are you to lecture me! I'm a Gazel! " Bernan's voice was spiteful and arrogant.

Kahr's pale eyes fairly blazed and his fists were clenched at his side. Sigurd started forward to intervene but Reya shook her head and gestured him back. She gave him a grateful nod however when he positioned himself near Kahr, prepared just in case Kahr decides on ending the argument physically with his sword.

" So what if I lost the squad, they are nothing but Lamb's... "

" ENOUGH! "

As the senior Jugend officer present, Reya had the most authority. It was not something she used often but deciding things had gone too far, Reya had no qualms unleashing the full blunt of that power on the conceited young Gazel. Standing right between Kahr and Bernan, her roar left an aftermath of shocked silence.

" Wh, what? How dare you... " Bernan's protest ended in a broken choke, one hand raised instinctively as if to ward off a blow. His former bravado banished to the winds with just one look from the Tri-Element.

Her regard was cold; her eyes like pieces of hard green glass. Reya swept the whole room with her glance and the void of emotions in her expression chilled everyone present. With a hand on Kahr's shoulder, Sigurd was surprised to realized that Kahr himself was taken aback. She looked almost inhuman...

" This is Jugend, the military institute of the Holy Empire of Solaris. In this place we care only for suitability. If you have any problems with that, Gazel, I have two solutions for you. Leave or stay. Leave if you do not have what it takes or stay and prove it. "

Unnerved by her hard unfeeling words, Bernan unconsciously backed down, retreating physically by a few steps. Not only him but everyone present was stunned by Reya's behavior. Through the month that they had spent together, her students had come to regard her as a strict but friendly officer. This was the first time they heard her raise her voice and speak in so unfeeling a tone.

" Cadet Bernan, you are dismissed from the rest of today's class. Think through your decision carefully. I want your reply the first thing tomorrow morning. "

They watched him depart in silent, a sorry figure trying desperately to gather the tattered remains of his pride and dignity. Sigurd turned to his friend and found him with a slightly overwhelmed expression on his face. Kahr is surprised... Could it be that he has never seen her like this? He raised a brow in question but Kahr could offer no answers.

" Reya...? " Sigurd spoke her name tentatively.

She did not response but stood there, her glance on the door that the Gazel cadet had walked out of. Sigurd started towards her with one hand reached out to touch her and paused suddenly. The hard green mirrors of her eyes shifted and for a second, Sigurd caught a flash of sadness but it was so swift that he could not be sure if it had all been his imagination.

" Reya...? "

There were no traces, if it was indeed sadness that he had seen. Her eyes that had turned to regard him revealed nothing. Reya's face was composed and she inclined her head a little as a gesture of thanks for his help. Her voice was even when she addressed the whole class.

" Discussion will resume in 5 minutes. "

" You can't be serious? You are her brother and you're telling me you have never seen her act this way? " Sigurd's voice was heavy with incredulity.

" No, Sig... I never saw her like that before. It's so... unlike her. I can't believe I saw that look on her face. It was so cold that it even frightened me a little. "

Kahr's eyes were focused on the wisps of steam that drifted upwards from his cup of hot tea. He watched them dissipating into the air, lost in thought. It was the truth that he had told Sigurd. Today was the first time in his life that he had seen such an expression in his sister's face. The Reya that he remembered was always full of warm despite her serious manner. Kahr wrapped his hands around his cup in an attempt to keep away the chill that had suddenly crept into his heart.

Sigurd ceased his questions, seeing that Kahr was preoccupied by his own thoughts. After the last incident, Sigurd had not had any opportunity to talk to Reya alone. For the past month, the only conversation between them was solely based on official business and nothing more. He had even tried to arrive early at the classes off chance that he might catch her alone before training starts but there was nothing to show for this except Kahr's ribbing. After classes, Reya was either surrounded by students asking questions or she had to hurry back to the Lab.

" Say, I thought Reya's supposed to be under Jugend now. What's she doing back at Krelian's Lab? She's been heading there straight after class every day. "

" Oh, I see that someone is starting to miss my sister already. Hmm, Sigurd? Why don't you go tell her that? I'm sure Reya could be persuaded not to spend so much time at the Lab if she knows that you miss her, " Igraine said cheerfully as she sat down beside Kahr while Hyuga took the empty seat next to Sigurd.

" I'll gladly go tell her if I ever get the chance to hold a conversation with her outside official matters. I'll be eternally grateful if you can manage to get her to talk to me, " Sigurd cast both newcomers with a doleful look, his glance resting on Igraine in a mute request.

He had surprised himself a little with the growing need to speak to Reya. Sigurd's attention with women had never taken such an unusual aspect. It was always purely physical, nothing beyond the pleasures of the flesh. Yet ever since her appearance into his life, the desire for sexual conquests had never been further from his mind. She left him with so many questions and only Reya herself could answer them.

Hyuga almost choked on the swallow of tea he had taken, resisting the urge to laugh. The whole situation was so ludicrous - here was the famous ladies man in Jugend asking for help just to talk to a woman. Hyuga coughed a few times trying to hide his hilarity but dissolved into gales of laughter when he caught the smug expression on Igraine's face. Kahr soon joined him much to Sigurd's disgust.

None of them knew exactly what happened after the sparring incident but Sigurd's intentions towards Reya were pretty much crystal clear from then on. He was interested in her and had been trying to learn as much as he can from Kahr and Igraine about their elusive sister. However, it was not as successful as he hoped it would be and Sigurd could not shake the feeling that Igraine was enjoying herself immensely dangling bits of information before him.

" Well... Reya 's busy with that new model Gear that they are building for me. Its design and operating system are heavily based on her own Gear and no one else is better than her in this area. Anyway, according to what I heard from her today, her part will be done soon. And the good news is she'll be moving into the new Tri-Element quarters exactly a week from today. I'm so glad they finally finished work on those rooms, " Igraine regarded Sigurd meaningfully.

" Know what to do, Sig? I'm sure you don't need me to teach you how to woo a woman! " The statement was accented with a elbow to Sigurd's ribs as Jessiah joined the little gathering.

Everyone present broke into a fresh round of laughter with the exception of the subject of the badgering. Sigurd sported a long-suffering look on his face as he rubbed his sore side. But he was secretly elated at Igraine's news with Reya moving into the Tri-Elements quarters, he was sure that the chances of seeing her more often was coming. Sigurd joined in the gaiety with a comment about the absence of Miang and soon it was Kahr at the receiving end of their jesting. It continued until Jessiah fished out a bottle of his favorite whiskey shouting for a toast. Declining the offer lest he suffer a hangover the next day, Sigurd quickly excused himself, leaving the company. Unknown to him, the action was what everyone had planned on.

Waiting until Sigurd was out of sight, Jessiah's face was positively beaming with glee. Rubbing his hands together, he turned to Igraine. " So have you came up with any brilliant ideas? "

" Not yet but Sigurd was saying that he'll like some help in getting Reya alone to talk to him. Perhaps we could try and do something in this direction. "

" Well it happens that I already have one in mind... "

Reya rubbed her temples slowly for the benefit of the pounding headache. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. The artificial response battle system of Imarla had malfunctioned and caused a minor explosion but fortunately none of the mechanics were injured. They had tried to hasten the evolvement process without consulting her. Not that Reya truly cared that they cut her out of the decision just that she would be the bearer of the bad news to Krelian and that was something she was not looking forward to. She was mulling over what she should say when someone called her name

" Reya! What happened? I thought we were supposed to meet at the Church grounds today this evening? When you didn't turn up, I called the Lab but they won't tell me anything. I came here to wait for you, " Igraine said as she came forward and linked her arm through her sister's.

" Your Gear threw a little tantrum today that's why I was held up until now. I'm sorry, Graine. I should have at least called to let you know. "

" What do you mean by tantrum? "

" Oh, the AR system malfunctioned and caused an explosion. "

" What?! An explosion! Are you alright? " Igraine stopped dead in her tracks and started looking at Reya up and down to see if she was injured.

" I'm fine. It's a small one and no one was hurt but he won't be pleased to know that the completion date for Imarla has to be pushed back. " Reya sighed, pressing one hand against her temple. Her headache was getting worse.

" Hpmh. Don't tell me you are fine. It's always the opposite when you say that. You are looking a little pale, Reya. "

Reya smiled at the annoyance-mingled concern and reassured Igraine. " It's just a headache. Nothing that I can't sleep off so don't worry on my account. I hope my new bed is comfortable. "

" I'm glad you shifted out of the Lab, everyone was complaining that they hardly see you for the past month especially Sigurd. He told me that he has to talk to you. Why don't you give him a chance? Everyone knows he's interested in you. "

" Graine! You know how busy I am! " Reya protested mildly.

" Time is what you make of it and I think it's high time that you find someone to... "

" You are saying that because you are in love with Hyuga. Don't drag me into it. " Reya shook a admonishing finger at her elder sister.

" ... fall in love with, " Igraine finished her statement smoothly as if she had not been interrupted at all.

" I've said what I wanted to say so the rest is up to you. By the way, I won't be going to back to the Tri-Element dorm tonight. Don't give me that look, Reya. It's purely Church stuff that I have to take care of, " It was Igraine's turn to waggled her finger at Reya when she saw Reya raising one brow speculatively. " Hyuga won't be with me since Jessie got him in one of those drinking sessions. "

" Poor Hyuga. Not even the three of them together can out drink him. "

" Save your pity for Sigurd. That man's got the lowest resistance to alcohol that I have seen. Well, I hope you'll like the 'housewarming' present we got you. Good night then and sleep tight. " Igraine waved a jaunty goodbye to her as she headed off towards the Church sector.

Someone to fall in love with... ... and it seems that they already have the man in mind... Reya's lips lifted in an amused smile. She knew that Sigurd had been trying to get her to talk to him but between answering her students' questions and rushing off to work on Imarla, she could not spare the time. Perhaps it was her fault; she should not have said all those words to him.

He's interested in me in... that way? The more she thought about it, the more amused she felt. Trust Igraine to say such things to her but at least it helped to make her feel a little better and occupy her from thinking about the unpleasant task she had to face the next day as she walked back to her new accommodations. Love... someone to love... With a gentle sigh, Reya banished the wistful musings as she punched in her access code to unlock the door.

Stepping into total darkness as the door slid shut behind her, Reya 's hand was about to find the light switch when a solid human wall sandwiched her. Her senses dulled by weariness and a headache, Reya's brain could only registered that a man was holding her pinned intimately against the door. There was no room for her to move or reach for her sword. Her unknown assailant had one hand tangled in her hair and the other caught her chin, tilting her head back. All Reya's nose caught a whiff of alcohol and she was totally unprepared for was to follow.

Her mouth was covered in a thoroughly passionate kiss and the raw sensuality of the act shocked all her muddle senses awake. Her outrage lent strength to her struggle as she tried to break the all too intimate contact. Feeling her assailant's grip slacken, Reya swung one arm up in an uppercut straight to his chin. The blow sent him reeling back and the next thing Reya heard was a heavy thud as his body hit the floor.

Reya whipped her saber free with a dangerous hiss of steal, more than ready to dismember her attacker if he dared to assault her again. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, all she could see was a still black mass where he had fallen. Reya held her ground, wary that it could be a trap. Reya listened intently but all she could pick up was the shallow breathing similar to that of a person in sleep.

Time trickled by slowly and it seemed almost like an eternity before she dared relax her guard. Holding her sword close to her body, Reya flipped on the lights and found a very drunk and stunned Sigurd at her feet, totally dead to the world.