In the hidden room in EarthNet tower, Zepheron sits in the dark. The only light of the room emanated by a video screen in front of him. Zepheron is in a kneeling position, speaking to someone who can’t be seen very clearly.

(Note: This entire conversation is translated from Elemenian.)

EMPEROR

I should have known your trademark incompetence would get the better of you. It is, after all, what you’re best at.

ZEPHERON

I am sorry, My Lord…this is only a temporary setback.

EMPEROR
Don’t assume I’m as big a fool as you, Zepheron.

You’ve screwed up. Like you always do.

ZEPHERON

…

EMPEROR

You WILL fix this. And you will do it QUICKLY.

You KNOW the price of failure.

ZEPHERON
….

Yes, My Lord.

EMPEROR
See that its done.

Zepheron sits in the dark room quietly for a moment….concentrating to control his rage. Then, he smiles.

ZEPHERON

Heh.

Hahaha.

Act high and mighty while you can, fool.

Your days are numbered.

Terran starts to open his eyes, moaning. As he comes to, he sees CC standing over him, smiling.

CAROLINE
Oh, thank God…you had me so worried.

TERRAN

C…C?

Just then, his vision becomes clearer and he sees that the woman in front of him is Genesis, not CC.

GENESIS

I beg your pardon?

TERRAN

Uh…nothing.

He starts to sit up, groaning a little.

GENESIS

Hey! You’re still weak!

I admit…your recovery thus far is remarkable, but…

TERRAN

Why didn’t you just let me die?

GENESIS

Huh?

TERRAN

I told you not to help me.

GENESIS
Oh yeah? Well, screw you pal!

I don’t sit around and let people die.

TERRAN

You saw what I did…

You know what I caused.

GENESIS

Yeah…

But I also read your mind.

You didn’t realized what you were doing.

Someone used you.

After the blast, I saw you flying away and I figured you were going to whoever it was who tricked you.

Looks like I was right.

TERRAN

….

Terran looks around, seeing lots of other people on hospital-type beds and gurneys…but the building is much too poor and filthy to be a hospital.

TERRAN

Where…am I, by the way?

GENESIS

You’re in a hidden branch of the Earthian underground movement.

It’s where those of Elemenian descent go when they need food, medicine or shelter.

TERRAN

I…..see.

GENESIS

Now, lay back, shut up, and get some rest.

I’ve got some questions to ask you later.

But for right now…

I need a shower.

Genesis starts to walk away. As she goes to the door she stops and waves at Terran.

GENESIS
G’bye, now.

Back at EarthNet Tower, an Elemenian warship lands on the roof of the building. Zepheron stands in the middle, waiting. The ship lands and Dremora exits, escorted by two soldiers.

ZEPHERON

It took you long enough.

DREMORA

I was on my starship…off-planet.

I’m sorry if I didn’t blaze through the atmosphere fast enough for you.

Zepheron looks at her sternly for a moment and then smiles.

ZEPHERON
Ah, my dear Dremora…you haven’t changed at all, have you?

DREMORA

What do you want, Zepheron?

ZEPHERON

My brother has disappeared.

Zepheron reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. Taking out one and putting it in his mouth, he then leans forward slightly, looking Dremora in the eyes. She hesitates, knowing what he wants her to do, and that he intends to demean her. However, she eventually holds her finger up to the tip of the cigarette and uses a fraction of her power to light it.

ZEPHERON

So anyway, you’re going to find him.

DREMORA

Me?! This was YOUR assignment. I have my own.

ZEPHERON

Yes…but I out-rank you. So, you don’t have a choice in the matter.

DREMORA

…

ZEPHERON

Got that worked out of your system?

Good.

Like I said, you’re going to find him. And you’re going to do it fast.

Is that understood?

DREMORA

….

Yes…Zepheron.

ZEPHERON

Good girl.

Back in Narwal, lots of soldiers and civilians volunteer to clean up the rubble following the disastrous explosion underground the night before.

THUNDER

I can’t believe this happened.

We were TOTALLY caught napping.

SOLDIER

We found a live one, sir.

Well…he WAS alive….he died shortly after we found him.

THUNDER
Damn!

SOLDIER

However, he DID say something before he died.

THUNDER
Oh? What?

SOLDIER

He said, "Terran".

THUNDER
Terran?

(turns to Goddess)

Think it was him? Could he have done this?

GODDESS

I never thought it was his style to do something like this…

…but, you never can tell with those self-righteous types.

THUNDER
Yes.

(turns back to soldier)

Any sign of Genesis?

SOLDIER

No, sir. None.

THUNDER

Well, get back there and keep looking! Let me know IMMEDIATELY if you find something!

SOLDIER

(salutes) Yes, sir!!

Back at the Earthian underground hideout, Terran sneaks past the guards by flattening his body against a wall to the thickness of paper and then camouflaging himself to match the wall color. Once outside, he starts to quickly move away from the base. A short distance away, Genesis peeks out from a shower stall, grinning.

Terran continues until he is a good distance away. He takes one quick look back and then turns to continue his trek. However, he turns to find that Genesis in front of him. She hasn’t even had time to dry herself off and is standing in front of him in a bathing suit.

TERRAN

How did you…?

GENESIS

(waves finger disapprovingly) Ah…ah…ah.

Where do you think YOU’RE going?

TERRAN

Look…I appreciate the help and all…but I really need to get going.

GENESIS

I’m not done questioning you yet.

TERRAN

I’m really sorry, but…I just have to go.

GENESIS
Where?

TERRAN

I…

I don’t know. I just need to go.

Genesis looks at Terran’s face. His expression is very grim and depressed. He just seems like a man who’s lost everything.

GENESIS

You okay? You look terrible.

TERRAN

Look, it doesn’t concern you, alright?

GENESIS

Oh, come on. I saved your life, you know.

TWICE. That puts me one up on you.

TERRAN

…so what do you want? A medal?

GENESIS

Geez…can you at least stay for a LITTLE while?

TERRAN

Sorry…

GENESIS

Okay, then…

(Genesis waves her hand and her clothes float from a branch. Her shirt fits her arms into its sleeves automatically. She then starts putting on her pants.)

I’m coming with you.

TERRAN
What?

GENESIS

You heard me.

If you can’t stay…I’m coming with you.

TERRAN

Look…

GENESIS
No, YOU look…

Some maniac just blew up a lab that could have helped about 20,000 people live to have breakfast this Sunday. That cure would have saved THOUSANDS. Then, he blows up my home….killing lots of MY friends.

Terran is silent. His mind starts to wander back to his parents’ deaths. He realizes that everything that just happened to Genesis and the people of Narwal is almost a repeat of what happened to him.

TERRAN

Okay.

GENESIS
Huh?

TERRAN

Since you DID save my life.

I guess I could repay you by at least sticking around for a day.

GENESIS

Good!!

Genesis grabs Terran’s hand, leading him away, back towards the city.

TERRAN

Where…where are we going?

GENESIS

To get some food. I’m starving.

Time passes and Genesis and Terran sit at a table outside of a diner as Genesis scarfs down a wide assortment of food. Terran is in "disguise", having changed his hair red and grown himself a "beard"

GENESIS

(mouth full) Aren’t you going to eat anything?

TERRAN
Uh…no thanks. I…don’t need to eat.

GENESIS

Really? That’s…….weird.

TERRAN

Yeah…tell me about it.

Uh…

Are you sure it’s okay to eat like this?

GENESIS

Huh?

TERRAN

I mean…Eles are forbidden in this area.

If someone scans you, won’t you be caught?

Genesis shakes her head.

GENESIS

Don’t worry. The members of the Kindred don’t get detected by things like that.

TERRAN

Oh yeah…that’s right.

So…you were part of the…"breakout" ten years ago.

GENESIS

Uh-uh.

No…I’m not like the others.

TERRAN
Huh?

GENESIS

I was….found a few years ago. They took me in.

TERRAN

Found?

GENESIS

Yeah…I was alone. My memory was gone…and I didn’t know where I was or how I got there. Ever since "The Day the Earth Bled".

Quite a distance away, someone watches the two of them.

ELEMENIAN SOLDIER

Yeah, that’s her.

ELEMENIAN SOLDIER #2

You sure.

ELEMENIAN SOLDIER
No doubt about it. That’s the b*tch who we fought yesterday.

ELEMENIAN SOLDIER #2

The guy she’s with doesn’t look anything like the one we’re after…

But we better get the Commander anyway…

TERRAN

You said your name’s "Genesis", right?

GENESIS
Yes.

TERRAN

Is that your real name?

GENESIS

It’s the only one I have. You see, the theory is that when I was younger, my powers activated themselves for the first time. But…it was too much for me to control. I absorbed the memories of everyone I came in contact with. Eventually, my mind got so cluttered, I can’t even remember which memories are mine anymore.

TERRAN

I see….

GENESIS

What about YOU?

TERRAN
Huh?

GENESIS
Do YOU have a real name?

TERRAN

Well, I—

The next instant, a small, disc-like object comes out of nowhere and latches itself onto Terran and Genesis’ chests. Terran and Genesis are puzzled for a moment until a huge amount of energy released by the objects. After a moment, they collapse. The crowd witnesses this and runs away, fleeing for their lives. Terran, knocked unconscious, reverts back to his normal "Terran" state. Elemenian soldiers walk up to the two of them, smiling.

ELEMENIAN SOLDIER

Gotcha.

End of Chapter One

On the streets outside the diner where Genesis and Terran had been attacked previously, there’s a bright flash of light and two people appear from nowhere. One of them is an extremely tall black gentleman, approximately in his mid-to-late forties dressed in a suit and a derby hat. The other is a well-dressed caucasion woman in her late twenties to early thirties. The two of them look around the area curiously. It has been closed off by the police, who are still conducting an on-site investigation.

WOMAN

It appears that we’re too late.

MAN
It seems that there is evidence of a struggle here. Do you think they’ve gotten to him first?

WOMAN

If so, this would be quite an inconvenience.

Just then, a police officer sees them and calls out to them.

COP

Hey, you! We’re conducting an investigation over here! You’re gonna have to leave.

WOMAN

Alright. But can you tell us what happened here?

COP

Two people were attacked by some Eles in broad daylight.

Now come on, get a move on!

WOMAN

Fine.

The woman hooks her arm with the man’s, and the next instant, there’s another bright flash and the two disappear. The cop blinks in disbelief.

COP
Man…this town’s getting weirder and weirder…

Out in space, an Elemenian starship circles the Earth’s atmosphere, cloaked from radar satellites. Inside the ship, Dremora enters the prison area, where Terran and Genesis are being held. Genesis is in a cell, a metallic room with only one small window to see out from. Terran, however, is in the middle of the room, his hands bolted to a huge protrustion from the ceiling and his feet bolted to the floor. He is elevated slightly higher than Dremora, who walks in front of him and looks towards him.

DREMORA

Ah…so we meet again…Terran.

TERRAN

You….

DREMORA

I have some questions for you.

And don’t bother trying to escape. We’re keeping you too weak to change your form.

TERRAN
Go to hell. I don’t have anything to say to you.

But let HER go. She doesn’t have anything to do with this.

DREMORA

Unfortunately, that isn’t possible.

However, you will answer our questions or things could become rather unpleasant.

TERRAN

What questions?

DREMORA
Where is the Yagamo?

TERRAN

The WHAT??!!

DREMORA
Guards!!!

The guards nearby flip a switch, and a surge of energy comes out from Terran’s restraints, surging through his body. Terran screams in pain, the sound echoing through the room.

GENESIS

Terran!!!
Stop it!!!!!! Why are you doing this!!!?!

DREMORA
Keep quiet!!! You’ll have your turn.

Dremora nods to the guards and they flip the switch back. The energy flow stops and Terran stops screaming, gasping for breath. His nose and mouth bleeding. Dremora walks over to him again.

DREMORA

I’ll ask you again. Where is the Yagamo?
Where is Merlan?

TERRAN

I don’t know what you’re talking abo—

DREMORA

Guards!!!

Terran starts to scream again as the energy process starts again. Genesis watches in horror, trying desperately to free herself. After a few minutes, they again end the process and Dremora again asks Terran questions.

DREMORA

Since we can’t get anything from YOU, why don’t we ask HER instead?

TERRAN

No! I told you, she doesn’t have anything to do with this!

DREMORA

Oh? Is that the truth?

Or are you saying that just so that we don’t ask her?

TERRAN

Look…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know about any "Yagamo" or "Merlan". But I do know that it’s my fault that she got wrapped up in this. I don’t care what you do to me, but just let HER go.

DREMORA

Hmm…

GENESIS
Terran, stop it! Don’t worry about me!

DREMORA

Alright, then. We will let her go. However, if you don’t do EXACTLY what we tell you, we’ll find her again…and we WILL make her suffer.

Is that understood?

TERRAN

Yes.

GENESIS

Terran…

DREMORA
Very well then…

(turns to the guards)

I’m going to the bridge. Make sure that you keep an eye on them.

GUARD

Yes, Commander!

Dremora walks out of the room, one of the soldiers following her.

SOLDIER

Commander, do you really think you can trust him?

DREMORA

I think he’s telling the truth about not knowing anything.

And the girl is just a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

SOLDIER

Then, why don’t we just hand him over to Lord Zepheron as ordered?

DREMORA

Did I tell you to question me?

SOLDIER
No, Commander.

DREMORA

Then do as I say! You will tell Zepheron what I told you to!

SOLDIER
Yes, Commander…as you wish.

Back in Narwal, Thunder is in a room with three older men. They are the members of the Earthian Committee, the top members of the Narwese Region.

THUNDER

You called for me?

COMMITTEEMAN #1

Yes…we just received information from a very reliable source that the United Nations was behind the attack commited yesterday.

THUNDER

Is that so? I thought that Terran had something to do with it.

COMMITTEEMAN #2

Yes, that is also correct. However, Terran was acting under orders from the UN.

His connections with EarthNet were just a smokescreen to hide his true agenda.

THUNDER

Damn!

Does Christian Beck know about this?

COMMITTEEMAN #3

Yes, we informed him of this almost immediately.

He gave us information that has helped us to engineer a retaliatory strike.

THUNDER

Oh? Well, I’m quite interested in hearing about THIS…

Time passes on the Elemenian ship. Inside the cells, Terran is still bolted to the device, a charge going through it every once in while to keep him weak. Genesis sits in the cell, her arms restrained behind her back, completely silent. However, it’s obviously that she’s still upset over the recent events, and the silence is getting to her.

GENESIS

Terran….?

TERRAN
What?

GENESIS
Are you….alright?

TERRAN

Yeah, I’m fine…

(a charge goes through Terran, causing him to yell in pain)

….except for the obvious.

I’m too weak to use my power effectively…

GENESIS
Yeah…and they’ve got anti-kinetic restraints on me. My telekinesis isn’t much help, either.

TERRAN

Heh. Well, guess that’s that, huh?

GENESIS

…

Why did you do that?

TERRAN

Do what?

GENESIS

Surrender like that?

I-I’m not helpless, you know! I don’t need you to protect me!

TERRAN

What? What the hell are…..NGGGH!!!!!!……….you talking about?

GENESIS

Don’t act dumb!

Just then, Genesis is startled as there’s a loud bang on the side of her cell.

GUARD

Quiet! Enough talking!

GENESIS

Oh yeah? What’re you gonna do about it?

Gonna sic your boss on me again? Need to hide behind a woman, huh, you pansy!?

GUARD

What did you say?!?

The next instant, the guard opens the cell. He hits Genesis with but butt of the gun, knocking her down.

GUARD
Half-bred freak. That’ll teach you to know when to shut your mouth!

Genesis gets to her feet, chuckling. Her forehead, where she was struck, has a cut with blood trickling down from it.

GENESIS

That the hardest you can hit? Guess you really are quite a pansy.

The guard becomes angry and tries to hit Genesis again. Genesis’ right eye grows green, and the guard stops. His expression becomes blank and empty as she continues to use her telepathy on him. Turning her back to him, the soldier shoots her restraints with his gun, freeing her. The guard then leaves her cell, with the door still open and goes over to Terran. . He punches a few buttons on a console, letting Terran free. Terran looks around, confused.

TERRAN
What the hell…?

GENESIS

Heh. Impressed?

TERRAN
I thought you said you couldn’t use your powers…

GENESIS
No…I said I couldn’t use my TELEKINESIS.

My telepathy, however is a different story.

TERRAN

But…how could you…?

GENESIS
I don’t have time to explain. We have to reach the control room and get this rig back to the planet.

TERRAN

You know how to fly it?

GENESIS

No…
(eye glows green)

But I can learn FAST.

Dremora is in a hidden area of the ship, the room darkened, as she speaks to someone over audio communication.

UNKNOWN

Did you have any luck locating the Yagamo?

DREMORA

I captured the one calling himself "Terran", but he didn’t know anything.

UNKNOWN

I see. That’s unfortunate.

DREMORA

I apologize for my failure. I only wish I—

(just then, there’s a loud explosion)

Wait--! Something’s wrong!

In the halls of the ship, Genesis and Terran battle a gang of Elemenian soldiers. Terran’s powers are slowly but surely recovering, and Genesis’ telekinesis is making short work of the guards.

GENESIS

Now THIS is more like it?

TERRAN
What?

GENESIS

I’ve been waiting for the chance for some action for a loooong time!

Meeting you was the best thing to happen to me!

TERRAN

Yeah, well say that again IF we make it out of this alive!

A door opens nearby, and more Elemenian soldiers come through, firing at the duo.

TERRAN

Get behind me!

Terran jumps in Genesis’ way, and creates a stone shield, protecting the two of them. The blasts from the soldiers slowly chip away at the stone.

GENESIS

I’ve got ‘em.

Using her telekinesis, Genesis makes the stone shield fly forward, knocking over the soldiers in the way. Genesis grabs Terran’s hand, leading him in that direction.

GENESIS

Quick! This way!!

TERRAN
You know where you’re going?

GENESIS
Yeah…of course. That guard I had control of knew where the bridge is.

As the two of them head forward, group of soldiers cuts them off. Terran and Genesis dive to the side, narrowly avoiding getting hit by more blasts.

TERRAN
Where’s the bridge from here?

GENESIS
Huh?

TERRAN
Where’s the bridge? Just point in the direction and tell me about how far it is.

GENESIS

Um…

(points upwards)

It’s about twenty feet that way.

TERRAN

Thank you.

Terran grabs Genesis and flies upwards, bursting through the ceiling. They burst through the floor of the bridge, surprising the soldiers there. Taking advantage of their unpreparedness, Genesis uses her psychic abilities to read their minds, temporarily stunning them. After she’s done, Terran knocks them out cold.

TERRAN
Alright, then. You take control of this thing and I’ll keep watch.

GENESIS

Right. We should be fine if we can at least get though the atmosphere.

TERRAN

Can you handle all these controls by—

Terran looks over and sees Genesis operating the controls of the ship jointly through manual control and her telekinesis. While she focuses on one part of the ship manually, her mind is pressing buttons and flipping switches.

TERRAN

--yourself…?

Wow.

Terran moves to the other side of the room, making sure that no one comes in and interrupts Genesis. However, the next instant, a monitor appears behind him, Zepheron appearing on it.

ZEPHERON
Dremora…I’m getting very impatient and—

Hearing Zepheron’s voice, Terran turns. Seeing Terran, Zepheron stops short.

ZEPHERON and TERRAN

YOU!!!!!

ZEPHERON

(grins) Well, hello there, Brother. I didn’t expect to see YOU.

TERRAN

You sh*t-faced bastard….

When I get my freakin’ hands on you, I’ll—

ZEPHERON

Heheh…hold that thought, bro.

I want to invite you to a little party.

TERRAN
What are you talking about?

ZEPHERON

Do you know who Akira Suzukara is?

TERRAN

The President of the UN?!?

ZEPHERON

Very good, young man.

Well, it seems that he’s making a trip up here to see ME.

TERRAN

Why the hell should I care?

ZEPHERON

Well, you see…the Kindred ALSO know that he’ll be here. I told them that myself.

And, it seems they’re still a bit peeved because a few of them, like, died and stuff…

…oops and silly me, I made it look like the UN was behind it.

TERRAN

No….

ZEPHERON
Gosh…I hope nothing happens to our dear President…

Hahaha…

TERRAN
You bastard.

ZEPHERON

Hope you make it to the party, brother…

(transmission ends)

TERRAN
Damn you!!!!

GENESIS
Huh?! You say someth--

Just then, Dremora enters the room, with a squadron of soldiers behind her.

DREMORA

You two wouldn’t be trying to dishonor our DEAL, now would you?

GENESIS
I never MADE a deal with you.

So, I plan on leaving here, and taking my friend with me.

DREMORA

How admirable. But I’m afraid you’re still not going to be leaving.

Dremora raises her arms and the soldiers start to advance. Waving her arms, Genesis starts to make loose machinery and lots of other objects fly towards them…slowing them down.

GENESIS

You feeling any better…?

TERRAN

Getting there…

GENESIS

Quick…relax yourself for a minute.

TERRAN
Huh…?

Genesis takes Terran’s hand, and begins to concentrate. Her hand begins to glow, and she begins to heal Terran as she did when she first saved him.

TERRAN

What did you…?

GENESIS

Look out!!

Terran and Genesis move out of the way just as a blast of energy comes their way. Dremora punches the soldier responsible, knocking him down.

DREMORA

You fool!! If you blast a hole in that wall, you’ll send us all into empty space!!

I’ll handle this myself!!

Surrounding herself with flames, Dremora takes off, flying towards Terran and Genesis.

GENESIS
Here she comes…

TERRAN

I’ll handle her.

GENESIS

But you’re not—

TERRAN

I’m fine.

Now leave her to me!

Dremora attempts to punch Terran, but he blocks her attack. She kicks herself away, as he tries to grab her, landing at a safe distance. Terran then moves forward to attack her, but she dodges him easily. She fires a blast into his chest at close range, knocking him against the wall. She then confidently stands in front of him, smirking.

DREMORA

Not this again….

Haven’t you learned that you can’t beat me, yet?

TERRAN

Oh, I’ve learned a great deal.

Like, didn’t you say that wall lead into empty space?

Terran raises his hand towards the wall.

DREMORA
NO!!!!!!

Terran fires a blast at the wall. The blasts rips a hole in the bridge, and the air inside starts being sucked out into space. Everyone inside holds onto something, desperate not to be sucked out. Terran inches his way to Genesis.

TERRAN
Come on!!!

GENESIS
You can’t be serious…

TERRAN
Trust me….

Genesis looks Terran in the eyes. Hesitantly, she takes his hand and an aura surrounds the two of them. Terran dives through the breach in the wall and the two disappear into space. After they’ve gone, Dremora kicks a piece of equipment loose and knocks it at the hole. The machine blocks the hole, and Genesis uses her powers to weld it there.

DREMORA
Damn them!

How long til we can take pursuit?

SOLIER
Until the pressure to the bridge is restored and the damage to our machinery is complete, it’ll take at least 2 hours.

DREMORA

Damn….

Zepheron will NOT be pleased about this…

End of Chapter Two

On the EarthNet Tower rooftop helipad, UN service agents and EarthNet armed guards secure the perimeter. Two helicopters approach. One, a political transport and the other a support vehicle. Christian Beck, aka Zepheron, watches as the two helicopters approach and land. The transport doors open and Akira Suzukara, the President of the United Nations exits surrounded by bodyguards. Christian Beck walks over to him and greets him, shaking hands.

CHRIS

Ah, it’s an honor to have you with us, Mr. President.

SUZUKARA

No, no, Mr. Beck. The pleasure is all ours. We’re here to commend you on your excellent success in averting a catastrophe with the L-Virus.

CHRIS
Well, I’m not the one to thank.

SUZUKARA

Oh yes…Terran…

Is he here? I wanted to meet him and thank him personally.

CHRIS
No…unfortunately, Terran has been MIA since the incident.

SUZUKARA

That’s too bad…

CHRIS

Well, shall we go inside?

SUZUKARA
Yes. Let’s.

Chris and Suzukara head towards the elevator, headed down to the conference room. From a distance, Thunder watches them from a nearby rooftop.

THUNDER

Well, he’s arrived. They’re headed down the elevator.

Goddess…where are you?

GODDESS
I’m inside the Tower. Wasn’t hard.

Most of these guards use the wrong head to think with anyway.

THUNDER

Good. Stick with the plan. We’ll run a diversion for you.

GODDESS

Gotcha. Over and out.

Thunder changes the frequency of his communicator.

THUNDER
Cascade…Metalm…can you read me?

CASCADE and METALM

Yeah.

THUNDER

Alright. Let’s begin Phase One. You know what to do.

CASCADE AND METALM
Roger.

On the ground level, the entire area outside of EarthNet tower is crawling with guards and the area has been cut off from the general public. The guards continue to patrol and watch over their assigned sectors, not noticing that fire hydrants on each corner of the building are starting to shake wildly, and the ground below is slightly rumbling as well. Then, without warning, the fire hydrants burst open and water bursts from the pipes under the ground. The guards are taken off guard and are swept away by the sudden rush of water.

From a distance, Cascade controls the flow of the deluge.

CASCADE
Alright, I’ve set up the pins. Your turn to knock ‘em down, M!

METALM

I’m on it!

Metalm, his body covered with metal, easily wades through the chest-high water, knocking aside cars, jeeps and other vehicles in order to cause as much damage as possible. Some of the guards, located away from the flood, try to fire at him, but the bullets bounce off of his metallic shell.

METALM

Cascade…I got mosquitos at five o’ clock.

CASCADE

Gotcha.

Cascade moves her hands and the huge mass of water sweeps over into a huge tide, and a gigantic wave comes along, swallowing up the guards. Suddenly, Metalm’s head jerks to the side and a loud "clanging" noise is heard.

METALM

I think we’ve got a sniper.

THUNDER

Where?

METALM
From my left…probably inside the Tower.

THUNDER

Okay. Got it.

Thunder looks over at the Tower with his goggles. He searches the different sections of the building until he finds the sniper perched from the window of the Tower, aiming at Metalm.

THUNDER
Gotcha. (points finger like a gun)
Bang.

A bolt of lighting comes out from the sky. The lightning curves into the window and strikes, exploding upon impact, taking out the sniper. Inside the Tower, Chris, President Suzukara and the soldiers inside the Tower are all in total frenzy.

SUZUKARA
What’s going on?

SOLDIER
We’re under attack, sir! It seems to be the Kindred!

SUZUKARA

What!?! How could they have found out about this?!!?

CHRIS
That’s not the main issue.

We need to make sure that you escape safely, sir.

(turns to EarthNet guard)

You come with me. We’ll have to secure an escape route.

PRESIDENT’S BODYGUARD
We’ll remain here with the President.

CHRIS
Alright. Stay here, Mr. President.

SUZUKARA

Good luck, Mr. Beck.

Outside, more soldiers arrive in jeeps and fire a round from a rocket launcher at Metalm. Metalm picks up a car and tosses it into the air, causing it to collide with the rocket in mid-air. A column of water bursts out from underneath the jeep, overturning it, and a blast of lightning appears, making it explode.

THUNDER

Good teamwork, people.
Goddess…your status? Any minute now, they’ll call in for reinforcements. We can’t do this forever, you know!

GODDESS

I’m at the target. Just need a minute or two.

Two guards patrol the area inside the building. Goddess walks over to them, casually.

GUARDS

Halt!

GODDESS

****Hey there, lovers…****

The guards stagger, entranced by her voice.

GODDESS

****How about we go to a special place? Just you and me…****

GUARDS

Yes….special place….

GODDESS
****And you have the key right there with you.****

The guards take out their handguns and put them to their own heads..

GODDESS

****You go ahead and use it. Meet you there lovers.****

GUARDS

Meet…you…there…

There’s loud banging noises and the guards fall over, dead.

GODDESS
Okay…. I’m almost there…

THUNDER

Alright, just make sure you—

(looks up)
What the…?

A bright red light appears in the sky, getting larger and brighter like an approaching meteor. A large fireball starts to fall from the sky quickly, but slows down as it gets close to the ground and lands harmlessly. As the flames around the object dissipate, Terran and Genesis can be seen.

TERRAN

Damn…we’re too late.

GENESIS

T-The Kindred did this…?
But…but WHY?

THUNDER
GEN?!?!?

Genesis and Terran turn to find Thunder and Cascade approaching.

THUNDER
Gen…you’re safe!

GENESIS
Danny! What’s—

Without warning, Terran suddenly receives a heavy blow to the back of the head. The force of the blow sends him flying into a building, crashing through the front of it.

GENESIS
STOP IT!!!

What are you guys DOING!?!

THUNDER
I should ask YOU that.

GENESIS
What…?

THUNDER

Where have you been all this time?

GENESIS
Well, Terran and I…

THUNDER
Terran!? What were you doing with HIM!

Don’t you know he’s the one who blew up the—

GENESIS
No!! Listen, I--

THUNDER

By the way…Goddess said she saw you going down to the lab before the blast what were you doing there?

GENESIS

….

THUNDER

I see.

I didn’t want to believe it, but it seems like it’s true…

CASCADE
What is?

THUNDER

Genesis…is a traitor.

GENESIS
NO!!!

Just then, Terran comes out from the rubble of his impact, his eyes blazing red and his powers surging.

TERRAN
Alright…where IS the son of a bitch?!!

METALM

Ha! You like that?! That was payback for what you did to ME on the train!

(Metalm reaches over and lifts a van over his head)

And here, this is on ME!!

TERRAN
No thanks!!

Terran fires a blast from his hands, making the van explode on top of Metalm. The blast causes Metalm to drop it and stagger backwards. The next instant, Terran charges forward with lightning speed and gives Metalm a knee thrust to his jaw, knocking him onto a parked car.

GENESIS
Terran, wait, I—

Genesis tries to move towards Terran, but a electromagnetic field surrounds her, keepign her from moving.

THUNDER

Stay there! We’re not done yet!

GENESIS
No, Danny!! Let me out..!

Danny!
DANNY!!!

Thunder ignores Genesis and turns towards Terran, waving Cascade aside.

THUNDER

So you’re the famous Terran.

Heh. I’m not impressed.

TERRAN

I didn’t come here to amuse you.

THUNDER
Oh yeah, so what ARE you here for?
To stop us from harming your commander-in-chief?

TERRAN

What?!

THUNDER

Don’t act dumb! We know you work for the UN.

TERRAN
That’s not true!

THUNDER

Oh, spare the crap!!

Thunder blasts Terran with electric current, knocking him down. Terran groans and tries to get back on his feet.

GENESIS
Stop it, Danny! Please….don’t hurt him!!

THUNDER

You….you…care about this guy?

But…I….

Thunder turns back towards Terran and angrily blasts him with more electricity.

THUNDER
YOU BASTARD!!! What did you do to her!?!?!?

Terran yells in pain, staggering from the force of the electric blasts.

GENESIS
Dammit, Danny! I warned you….!!!!

Genesis’s body begins to glow green. She surges her power and bursts from the electromagnetic field, tackling Thunder from behind.

THUNDER
So, you HAVE turned against us!!

GENESIS
Don’t be a moron!!

You’re acting like a child!!

THUNDER

A child?!?!

A CHILD!?!?

Thunder releases a pulse from his powers, knocking Genesis away.

THUNDER

All these years…I’ve been there for you…

It was ME who requested you be made a part of the unit!

And now, you turn your back on me, and for who?! HIM!?!?

GENESIS

(getting to her feet)

After what I’ve just seen, I can easily say that I trust HIM more than you!

Thunder grits his teeth angrily just as Terran comes up from behind him and gives him a flying shoulder tackle, knocking him against a wall. A wall of water appears, forming into a sort of ball-and-chain, smacking Terran over the head, Cascade controlling it from a distance.

GENESIS

Hey, Cassie!

Cascade turns and sees Genesis behind her. Before Genesis can attack, Cascade forms a huge guantlet from water, attempting to punch Genesis with it. Sidestepping it, Genesis spins around quickly and strikes her heel against Cascade’s jaw, knocking her to the ground.

The sound of helicopters is heard and Thunder looks up, seeing UN gunships approaching.

THUNDER

Dammit!

Goddess, come in!!

GODDESS
I read you…I’m right outside the room with the President.

THUNDER
Abort the mission! Reinforcements have arrived!

GODDESS
Dammit…

THUNDER

Get out of there immediately. We’ll rendezvous later!

GODDESS
Right!

Genesis continues fighting against Cascade, dodging a blast of water and kicking her in the midsection. However, she’s so focused on her fight that she doesn’t notice Metalm until he sneaks up behinds her wraps his arms around her, putting her in a bear hug.

THUNDER
Everyone…withdraw!!

The Kindred members double back.

TERRAN

Genesis!!

THUNDER

We’ll be leaving now and taking Genesis with us!

If you plan on following us, that wouldn’t be very beneficial to her health.

Metalm squeezes Genesis tighter and she winces in pain. Terran grits his teeth.

Elsewhere, Chris speaks with Vice President Calabrese over radio.

CALABRESE

How’s the situation?

CHRIS

Not so good. They aborted the mission.

CALABRESE

Dammit!! So then, it was a failure!

CHRIS

Don’t get too excited. I still have some plans.

The President will be "tragically assassinated"…just as we arranged.

But I still need you to continue the plan.

CALABRESE
Right. The HUNTERs will be activated.

CHRIS

Good. Then this may have a happy ending AFTER all.

THUNDER
Alright, let’s get out of he—

Just then, Metalm groans as a wave of ice shoots up his legs. He lets go of Genesis and a mysterious figure comes out of nowhere and grabs her, getting her to safety.

THUNDER

What the--?!

Who are you?!!?

Indigo sets Genesis down and smiles.

INDIGO

Doesn’t matter who I am.
You’d just better get out of here before I show you what I can DO.

THUNDER

Damn arrogant punk…

We don’t have time for this…

At that moment, there’s rumbling noises. Everyone turns around, confused.

TERRAN
What’s this?! What’re you up to NOW?

THUNDER
ME?!?! I thought this was YOUR doing!

Something detonates in the middle of the stand-off, knocking everyone back. Terran gets to his feet and looks over towards Indigo and Genesis.

TERRAN
You guys alright?

GENESIS
Yeah, I’m fine.

Thanks to….whoever this is.

Indigo lowers his ice shield.

INDIGO

No problem. Heh. We should do that again someti—

Everyone turns to see three huge mechanical constructs, almost spider-like, heading towards them. The machines fire on the group, destroying anything it its path. Everyone scatters to avoid being hit.

TERRAN
What the hell are THOSE?!?!

THUNDER

HUNTERs….

The UN’s anti-Elemenian war machines.

Dammit…it’s over…

We’re all dead now.

End of Chapter Three

Inside EarthNet Tower, Chris runs into the room with the President and his two bodyguards.

CHRIS
Mr. President…there’s been a problem.

SUZUKARA

What? What’s happened?

CHRIS

The Kindred has wiped out your guard sir. We’re defenseless unless we get reinforcements!

SUZUKARA
But…I heard the gunships…

CHRIS
Yes…but they’ve been disposed of.

SUZUKARA
By who?

Chris turns towards the President, his eyes blazing red and with a wide grin on his face.

ZEPHERON

By ME.

SUZUKARA
What…?! Beck…?!?!

The President’s guards point their guns at Chris.

ZEPHERON
Heh. Oh, look…they’re trying to stop me. Isn’t that cute?

SUZUKARA
Beck…what are you up to?

ZEPHERON

I’m afraid that’s no concern of yours, Mr. President. You’ll be dead soon.

SUZUKARA
What are you waiting for! Fire! FIRE!!!

The guards fire at Zepheron, but Zepheron surrounds himself with a forcefield, preventing anything from getting near him.

SUZUKARA

What…what ARE you?!

ZEPHERON

Me…?

Zepheron points his hand towards one of the guards and a fireball shoots out from his hand, going straight through the guard’s body and leaving a gaping hole in his chest. Next, his right arm shoots out towards the second guard and transforms into a blade, which impales him and pins him to the wall.

ZEPHERON

I’m Death.

Zepheron reaches out and grabs the President, sending electricity through his body. The President screams out, and Zepheron laughs sadistically.

Outside EarthNet Tower, Terran, Genesis, Indigo and the members of the Kindred look around as they are surrounded by the gigantic mechanical HUNTERs.

HUNTER PILOT

This is Wolf. Me n’ my men got the targets surrounded.

OFFICER

Your orders are to compromise them. However, we’d prefer is some of them were left ALIVE.

WOLF

Ah, crap. Just my luck.

Roger and copy.

(switches frequency)

Hawk, Griffon, Cobra and Hog…you heard the man.

Let’s do it.

HAWK

Roger.

GRIFFON
Roger, Commander.

COBRA

I copy.

HOG

Let’s get rockin’!

The HUNTERs start to converge on the group of superhumans. Thunder and the rest of the Kindred start to back away.

THUNDER

Everyone…on my signal…scatter. We need to separate or they’ll shoot us like rats.

They continue backing away, and Thunder prepares to give the order.

THUNDER
Okay, ready…..

WOLF
(grins) Heh.

I don’t think so.

Wolf taps a trigger on his controls inside the HUNTER. The next instant, two powerful beams of energy shoot out. There’s a huge explosion, sending Thunder and Metalm flying. Thunder hits his head against the wall of a building and falls unconscious.

GENESIS
THUNDER!!!!!!!

Genesis starts to run forward, but Terran grabs her.

TERRAN

Don’t! You’ll make yourself a target!!

GENESIS
But…

INDIGO

Look, as entertaining as this is, I think we should get the hell out of here.

Terran and Genesis turn, noticing the HUNTERs turning their attention in their direction.

WOLF
I think we’ve accomplished our "live capture" quota for the day.

Time for the killin’ to start!!!

The HUNTER starts to recharge its pulse cannons, ready for another blast. Wolf targets Genesis on his scope and fires. Terran grabs her and moves her out of the way just in time.

TERRAN
Sh*t!! Come on!!!

The trio start to escape, Terran and Genesis starting to fly away.

INDIGO

No!! Don’t…

TERRAN

Don’t what?!?

WOLF

We got some "flyers".

Hawk…?

HAWK

I’m on it.

One of the HUNTERs sprouts two glider-like wings and fires up thrusters, taking off into the air. Genesis and Terran turn, and in a flash, it’s caught up to them. The HUNTER prepares to fire a them, but suddenly, it becomes covered with ice and crashes to the ground.

INDIGO

As I was ABOUT to say….don’t try to fly.

There’s no way you could outmaneuver them.

In his cockpit, Wolf tries to reach Hawk

WOLF

Wolf! Can you hear me, man?

HAWK

Yeah…but the bastards took out my flight capablities. I’m grounded.

But I can still move around with ground mobility.

WOLF

Good. Looks like they’re making a break for it on foot.

Let’s have a little fun.

Terran, Genesis and Indigo run through the streets, making their way to a busy section of a park. They slow down for a minute and look back.

GENESIS
Hey…you think we lost them?

That question is answered as three HUNTERs come burst through alleyways, converging on the park.

INDIGO

Well, THAT was a dumb question, now wasn’t it?

The three take off running again, and the HUNTERS open fire on them. The normal civilians populating the area run around, screaming, trying to escape. The stray blasts from the HUNTERs hit all over the landscape, leaving scorched destruction whereever they strike.

TERRAN

They’re endangering CIVILIANS?!?!?

INDIGO

Uh…yeah. I’m assuming they skipped over the section of the boy scout manual that spoke AGAINST that sorta thing.

Genesis yells as a blast narrowly misses her. The blast from it knocks her away, but using her telekinetic abilities, she agilely flips through the air and lands on her feet, continuing to run.

TERRAN

You okay?

GENESIS

Yeah.

But, we’re sitting ducks in this wide open space!

We need to head somewhere more cluttered!

Terran looks around frantically, searching for something. Suddenly, he sees a web overhead freeway passes.

TERRAN

There! Head over there!

The trio starts to head towards the overhead passes, hoping to use it to cover them from the HUNTERs' shots.

WOLF
Heh. I see what you’re doin’.

Sorry, but we ain’t that dumb.

As Terran and the others head underneat the freeway passes, the three HUNTERs fire on the freeway passes. The traffic going across it screeches to a halt as the overhead pass gives way, a section of it breaking off and falling…taking a few vehicles with it.

GENESIS

Oh my God…

TERRAN

Look out!!!!!!

Kicking up a powerful gust of wind, Terran knocks Genesis and Indigo forward, preventing them from being crushed by the falling debris. However, Terran himself remains right underneath it, crushed underneath the few thousand pounds of rubble.

GENESIS
TERRAN!!!!!!!!!

Genesis runs back to the rubble. Surrounding herself with a telekinetic field, she starts to try and move some of the heavy boulders out of the way, trying to dig Terran out from the debris.

INDIGO

You’re crazy!!!

He’s done for! Come on, leave him and get outta here!!

GENESIS
Shut up!!

He saved YOUR life, too, you know! You could at least try and…

INDIGO

I didn’t ask for any damned favors.

Look. You do what you want. I’m going to…

The next instant, Genesis screams as a blast hits her. She falls to the ground, motionless. Indigo starts to turn around, but one of the HUNTERs leaps into the air and lands in front of him. Two more catch up and surround them.

WOLF
Hehe. We’re golden, boys and girls.

Now, let’s ice this sucker and….

Suddenly, the circuitry and scopes of the HUNTERs go haywire, effectively "blinding" the pilots.

WOLF

What the hell…!?!

A mysterious hooded figure lands on top of one of the HUNTERs, flips off of it, and then lands on the ground next to Indigo. As he looks at him, they realize that the "man" is actually a machine. A mechanical humanoid.

INDIGO

Who are YOU!?!?

The cybernetic stranger doesn’t answer. He merely shoves Indigo aside and moves over to the debris. He starts to smack around the debris as if they were pebbles, clearing a way. After a few moments, he unearths an injured, but fully conscious Terran.

INDIGO

You’re alive!?!

TERRAN

(cough) Yeah…I turned my body into metal right before I got hit.

(sees the stranger)

Who the hell are YOU!??!

(sees Genesis)
Oh my God….GEN!!!

The cybernetic stranger grabs him and yanks him forward, staring directly at his face.

STRANGER

Yes…you are the one.

TERRAN

Hey!! (pulls himself away)
What the hell’s with you?!

Gen needs help, and…

INDIGO

Uh…as entertaining as I find this, I think we need to get moving.

Whatever this…"guy" did to those things is wearing off.

Everyone turns around and sees the HUNTERs start to come online again.

WOLF
Now THAT’S more like it!!

(looks through scopes and sees stranger)
What the fuh…!? Who is THAT guy!?

COBRA

Beats me.

WOLF
Whatever. Just blast all of ‘em.

The HUNTERs get into position to fire.

STRANGER

Stay down.

TERRAN

Huh…?

The stranger leaps into the air. There’s a clanking sound and panels on his chest open, revealing hidden armaments. Energy modules fire out, striking the HUNTERs, staggering them.

WOLF

What the….!?

Holy sh*t!!!!!

Landing on top of one of the HUNTERs, the cybernetic warrior’s wrists slide open and a pair of energy "blades" appear outside of his forearms. Leaping off from one of the HUNTERs, he slashes two of its legs off with one swift strike. The HUNTER leans on its side and then topples over. He then turns to another of the HUNTERS, which fires a blast at him. Putting the energy blades in front of him, he deflects the blast into one of the other HUNTERs. The blast goes straight through it, taking out its power supply and causing it to shut down.

Flipping off the HUNTER he’s standing on and twisting in the air, the cybernetic fighter delivers a kick to the "head" of one of the HUNTERs, stunning it. Landing underneath it, one of his hands begins to shift and change, growing ten times larger in size. He delivers a heavy blow to the machine, knocking it over to its side.

Meanwhile, Terran and Indigo watch all of this…their jaws hanging open.

INDIGO

Th-This guy’s on OUR side, right?

PLEASE tell me he’s on our side.

The cybernetic warrior stands straight on the ground, silent for a moment. Then, his cybernetic components flex and a mass of steam shoots out. His hand goes back to the normal size and he turns back towards the trio. They look at him nervously. He walks towards them, walking right past Indigo and right up to Terran.

TERRAN

W-Who are you…?
WHAT are you….?

STRANGER

…

Come with me.

TERRAN

What about them…?

(points to Genesis and Indigo)

You can’t just leave Genesis behind. She’s injured.

STRANGER

…..

Fine.

Get her.

Terran moves over to Genesis and picks her up.

INDIGO

What about me…!?

STRANGER
What ABOUT you!?

TERRAN

He…DID help us.

STRANGER

….

Whatever. Let’s just go.

TERRAN

Go?…Go where?!?!

The man puts his hands on Indigo and Terran. After a bright flash, they disappear without a trace.

End of Chapter Four.

The United Kingdom.

It’s a rainy afternoon. Terran, Indigo and the stranger walk down the rainy streets of a small British town. Terran (holding the unconscious Genesis) and Indigo look around, perplexed by the sight.

INDIGO

What’s up with these people?

They’re not reacting to us.

TERRAN

Yeah. You’d think we’d generate some sort of response.

Especially this guy.

STRANGER

Why should they care?

Everyone here knows ME.

It’s YOU they should be reacting to.

The stranger leads them to a fairly large manor a little bit away from the town. Once there, two men, standing as guards block their way. The stranger nods and the two separate, allowing them passage. Again, Terran and Indigo are confused by all of this, but continue to follow the stranger.

Once inside the manor, the stranger stops and turns towards them.

STRANGER

Wait right here.

Don’t move.

TERRAN

Uh….okay.

The stranger starts to walk away, leaving Terran and Indigo alone.

INDIGO

So…you have ANY clue as to what we’re doing here?

TERRAN

None. Who ARE you, by the way.

INDIGO
Me? Oh. Well, I guess you could call me Indigo.

TERRAN
Indigo?

INDIGO
Yeah. It’s sort of a…"nickname".

TERRAN
I see.

Well…"Indigo", thanks for helping us back there.

INDIGO

Well, I didn’t really help you out of the kindness of my heart.

I have a favor to ask you.

TERRAN
A favor…?

VOICE

Ah, he’s arrived at last!!

And he’s brought a second guest as well.

Terran and Indigo turn and see an elegantly dressed, middle-aged woman walking towards them, smiling. Behind her is a tall black man, roughly in his mid-to-late fifties.

WOMAN

So, you are Terran?

TERRAN

And…you are…?

WOMAN

You can call me Merlan.

TERRAN

Merlan….?

MERLAN

I believe you’ve already met Gladius.

GLADIUS

Yes, we’ve met.

TERRAN

You’re the guy who led us here.

You’re….human?

GLADIUS

That shocks you?

TERRAN

Well, I…

Look, I really don’t have time to talk like this.

My friend here is hurt badly. She needs a doctor or she might….

MERLAN

(looks at Genesis)

Yes…she IS in a rather bad way, isn’t she?

TERRAN

Is there anything we can do for her?

MERLAN

Hmm…Yes, I believe there is.

TERRAN
Really?

MERLAN
Yes. I’ll need you to follow me.

TERRAN
Of course.

Merlan starts to walk off and Terran follows. Gladius steps in Indigo’s way, preventing him from going, too.

INDIGO

Hey! Move, you half-assed grizzly bear

GLADIUS
No one said YOU could go anywhere.

MERLAN

I beg your pardon, Mr….

INDIGO
Indigo.

MERLAN
Mr. Indigo.

Would you please wait elsewhere? We will return shortly.

INDIGO

Yeah, okay, fine.

(looks at Gladius)

Watch it, Yogi. I don’t see no fancy armor to help you NOW.

(walks off)

GLADIUS

Anytime, Junior. Anytime.

Terran follows Merlan as she goes down a flight of stairs into a sub-level of the manor. It’s extremely dark and dank in this section of the manor, and there’s a moldy smell emanating.

TERRAN

Um…excuse me.

MERLAN

Hmm…?

TERRAN

Where exactly are you taking me?

This doesn’t look like any sort of place to find a doctor.

MERLAN

We’re not going to find a doctor.

TERRAN
But you said...

MERLAN

I said there’s something we can do to help her.

Be patient, my boy. Be patient.

TERRAN

…

Merlan and Terran come to a dead end. Terran looks agitated, but before he can say anything, Merlan puts her finger to her lips, shushing him. She then turns to the wall at the end of the hall and puts her hand on it. The section that her hand touches begins to glow a bluish color, and when she removes her hand, she leaves a glowing hand print in that same bluish hue.

As strange as this is, Terran watches as the wall slides open like a door, revealing a hidden passage. The corridor behind the wall is strangely hi-tech, and seems to look like the interior of a space station.

TERRAN

What…what IS this?

MERLAN
Come. This way.

Merlan disappears into the corridor and Terran follows her. As they step onto it, the walls, ceiling and floor suddenly light up. As they near the end of the corridor, there’s a huge circular marking on the ground. The marking lights up brightly, pulsing.

TERRAN
What is that?!?!

MERLAN

A teleporter.

TERRAN
Teleporter?
To teleport to WHAT?!?

MERLAN

My ship.

TERRAN

Ship…?!?

Merlan steps onto the teleporter and disappears.

TERRAN
HEY!!!

Terran hesitates for a moment, deciding whether or not to go. He looks at the unconscious Genesis and bites his lip.

TERRAN

Dammit…

Terran steps on the teleporter and disappears. A moment later, he reappears in a strange room that seems almost surreal. The walls seem to pulse and glow like a heartbeat. As he walks on it, the floor lights up.

MERLAN

Welcome to my ship.

Terran turns and sees Merlan…only she has completely changed. Her elegant, dignified attire has vanished and has been replaced by an odd, almost Atlantean appearance. But the change of her attire isn’t what catches Terran’s attention. It’s her skin.

It’s blue. Just like his.

TERRAN

H-How did you…?

MERLAN

Quickly. Come over here.

Merlan walks off a little bit and a weird, circular portal opens. She steps into it and disappears. However, the portal remains open to allow Terran to follow. Once again, Terran hesitantly follows behind Merlan. This time, they come out in a large room with a lot of wires and other odd types of machinery. In the center of the room are three coffin-like mechanisms.

MERLAN

Quickly. Put her inside.

TERRAN
Huh?

(looks at coffin-like device)

Put her in…this thing?

MERLAN

Yes….hurry.

Terran places Genesis inside the device, and a second later, and the clear, glass-like cover snaps shut. Lights on the outside of it activate, and the device begins to fill with a bluish fluid.

TERRAN

What’s it doing…?

MERLAN

Hmm…that was odd.

TERRAN
Huh?

MERLAN

I didn’t even have to program it. It started doing it on its own.

TERRAN

What’s going on?

Where AM I?

MERLAN

As I said before, you are on my ship. This is the Yagamo.

TERRAN

Merlan…Yagamo?
You’re the one that Elemenian woman was looking for!!

MERLAN

I beg your pardon?

TERRAN
When Genesis and I were held captive by Elemenian soldiers, the leader asked about you…and this ship.

MERLAN

Hmm…that’s very strange.

TERRAN

What are you up to? Why did you bring me here?

Are you part of the Elemenians?

MERLAN

Now, now…don’t jump to any hasty conclusions.

I don’t have anything to do with the Elemenians.

TERRAN

Then why do you call this your ship?

Are we in space or something?

MERLAN

No. We are currently at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

TERRAN
WHAT!?!!?

That’s impossible. The pressure alone would crush ANY ship…human or Elemenian.

MERLAN

As I told you before, I am NOT Elemenian.

TERRAN

Than what ARE you?

Merlan smiles. She then holds her hands out to her side and closes her eyes. Within moments, her body changes shape and transforms into liquid. Then, it changes again and turns into stone. She changes it one more time into diamond. Then, she reverts back into her normal form.

MERLAN

Do this abilities seem….familiar to you, Terran?

…or should I say "Jeffrey"?

Terran’s eyes open wide.

MERLAN

(grins) Yes…I know all about you.

You see, we’re from the same race, you and I.

The long-lost race of the Lemu.

Welcome home.

End of "Trust"