Origins of The Bat

Atticus Batman -

*After what seems like forever I hear somebody talking to me.*
"Batman, can you here me? This is Erin."

Me-"Yes but I can't see anything, my body is numb, except my head. My brain feels like it's on fire!"

Erin-"I am afraid somebody wanted you dead very badly! We have fixed that hole in your side, but the ego is a different story. I am not sure what they used, but it has all but destroyed your ego. I have managed to bypass enough of it's redundant programming to return your hearing and fix your speech patterns so you are coherent again, but I am afraid without a new ego as sophisticated as this one there is nothing I can do but keep you on support until your ego completely fries your brain, and I have NEVER seen an ego like this! Beleive me based on the damage they did, that fancy device is all that saved you. If it was the same ego tech everyone else in the Paradise had, there wouldn't of been anything left of your brain but goo, by the time Shadow got you here."

Me- "I have a new more advanced one. Torc is holding onto it for safekeeping. He'll require a passcode that I can't recall though. I do remember I did tell Shadow. So, Only the Shadow knows! IF he gets it in time there is some new programming on a flashstick in my belt that i want added to the ego. But Shadow can't go alone somebody wants us dead awefully bad! But why am I numb and unable to move?!"

Erin-"I am afraid I had to numb your body so I could repair that nasty wound of yours. As for lack of movement I had to limit it, to help keep your ego from blowing out your brain for as long as possible. Too much demand on what's left of your ego will destroy it faster. Now shutup and rest, so it doesn't get your brainmatter all over my lab! Now if you don't mind I need to send Shadow to Torc's and run some tests while he is gone."

*I say I understand and might as well take another nap since I can't see or move anyway, and doze off again.*

---

Shadow Andreas -

Erin fills me in on Batman's condition and tells me I need t go see Torc for a new EGO.

Me- "Erin...please call Torc and let him know I'm on my way......I need to warn the DAWN PATROL!" (I turn and run out of her office)

I make a secure call on my com as I'm running to the Nomad parked inside Top Notch. "DAWN PATROL.....be careful...looks like someone is trying to eliminate us one by one. They did a real number on Batman...I'm headed to Headlands to meet up with Torc....I'll check in once I'm back to Top Notch.

*Headlights gleaming off of the fog that has rolled in off of the coast, as the Nomad flies through the roads and hills of Sausalito*

"What the jek is going on here? Who's after the DAWN PATROl and why? I don't have time for this....need to concentrate on the road! I'm gone for a bit and everything goes to hell in a hand basket.....what happened while I was gone?"

The road is mostly open....a few HellBugs that I avoid and some Raiders yelling at me as I blaze my way to Headlands.

*Torc is standing outside when I come to a slidding halt in the dirt driveway. I jump out of the truck and run up to Torc.*

Torc- Someone said you needed something from me....but I need the passcode before I can give it to you.

Me- The passcode is "Azriel"

*Torc looks at me...tilts his head....a tosses me a small case that he was holding in his massive hands*

Torc- I hope the Bat makes it....you better get back fast. Erin isn't sure how long he will be able to hold on.

Me- Thanks Torc.....

*I run back to the Nomad and hop in.....slam the gear into 1st and take off. The trip back to Top Notch is quiet...except for the screaming of the engine. I pull into Top Notch and it is quiet.....unusually quiet.*

Me- "Erin......where are you?" *I pull my WolfHound out and scan the area* "I got the package!"

Erin- "I'm here....upstairs......hurry....we don't have much time!"

*I run up the stairs into her office and see her in surgical garb. She takes the case and opens it as she rushes into the O/R. I holster my pistol and collapse into the chair in her office.....the nights events hit me as the questions start to run through my head....I fade into unconsciousness as my body and mind tries to process everything*

---

Atticus Batman -

*Over the next several hours Erin goes about the arduous task of removing an ego, more sophisticated than she has ever actually seen, while similtaneously attatching the newer more intricately designed one to The Bat's brain. She takes as much time as she can afford to, as to insure the old is removed correctly and the new attached perfectly. She also has the painstaking task of syncing the previous ego and the current one to make sure everything is aligned, installed, and implemented properly, before she can even consider making the modifications and additions listed on the encrypted flashstick. All the while, in the back of her mind she can't help but wonder how Batman got his hands on these new ego units, or why he insists nobody sees the man behind the mask, so to speak. At that thought she quickly makes sure the door is firmly secured, for she knows that even if something were to go wrong, it would be best to respect his wishes and not let his comrades see exactly who is looking at them from behind that Infiltrator's helmet, for even in his vulnerable unconscious and almost dead state, she still fears and respects him for who he has proven himself to be, to those in Paradise that call him; friend, hero or even harbinger of Death (that last one, mostly by Lawman Cooper). That last title alone makes her wonder why any including herself trust him and may even consider him a friend or at times hero, but heck in Paradise anything can and will happen.*

---

Atticus Batman -

*hearing Shadow arguing near my bedside, with a familiar voice, I start to move and talk, as I see Shadow by my side and Cooper and Erin near by.*

Me- Shutup COOP! You're loud enough to wake the dead!

Coop- You jekking moron! You're lucky, you aren't one of them! You really are the harbinger of death aren't you?!

Me- Piss off, dumb frakking lawman!

Coop (with amused laughter in his voice) - What are you going to do? Kill me in YOUR sorry state?!

Me (calmly) - Don't worry I won't shoot the deputy.

Erin - Mr. Cooper you do not want to agitate the patient.

Cooper - I am here to find out why you shotup the Crater, and Last chance!

Me - I am so tired of lawmen always thinking they know and control everything and everyone, and are the greatest thing on this hellholeof a planet! Get lost, NOW!!!

Cooper - Just answer my questions, then I'll leave!

Me - Oh Frak it!

*I then reach over and grab Shadow's wolfhound before he can respond, caulk it, and point it straight at Cooper's head.*

---

Old School Pop -

Man that Sizzler can sure put out some ribs, buttery rich and lots of sauce. Oh yea, what was I doing, something about the clan, cats and tickles, no thats not it, ....... fat man mumbles, no, ............ bats in trouble, Bats In TROUBLE!! Oh what did he get into now, I call Shadow to get the 411 and find out the bat lives, but they are still trying to figure out that weird ego of his, I say a hard slap to the head should rattle everything back into place, definately worth a try. Just about to cruise over to offer my head-slap suggestion when up drives Zugo, something is yelling in his trunk 'let me out'. Zugo askes if I want to get some gold, says he caught a leprechaun and is going for his pot of gold. Looking in the trunk I see a little person, I try to tell Zugo this is not a leprechaun, but he is convinced all little people are leprechauns and have a hidden pot of gold. I let him know about the bat and this seems to change his focus. ,Those datasticks Crixda's frakus at the Crater yeilded were mostly corupted but all said something about gunslingers, a suspicious general, some guy named dehuso, and colonel saunders fried chicken, I think I know I'm headed next...... 7 herbs and spices huh.....

---

Atticus Batman -

*I pull the trigger and fire. The bullet wizzes past Cooper's left ear and hits a plant to near him.*

Coop - You nearly shot me, you idiot!

Eren - Relax, he missed you, which is more than I can say for my poor plant!

Me- Frakkin right I did, and this time I will NOT miss! Don't worry though. I am sure Torc will do your funeral right!!!

* I move the gun a little further to the left, and recaulk it for a second shot.*

---

Old School Pop -

So happy to see the Bat is Back. I would have really missed his wild stories, although some are unbeleivable. I remember him talking about an international shadow war where he killed 2 brazillian arkhunters. Now I'm not sure how many a 'brazillian' is, but it must be way more than a million, so I called b---sh-t on it, but he swears it was true. Sometimes that arkforge stuff makes us crazy, doesn't really affect me, but I have seen Shadow and Crix do some strangeness grinding for that stuff, now if it was fried chicken or olives&cheese I'm all over that. Keep hearing rumors about an influx of new folks about to hit our area, sure hope they show some class and bring gifts for those of us already living here, I could use a new barbeque

---

Atticus Batman -

*Firing the gun again, I manage to graze Coop's right ear, his frakking ear!*

ME- Shadow get the frakking accuracy fixed on this thing! Oh jek it!

*I then throw the gun at Coop and hit him right between the eyes. Coop staggers out of the door, and grumbles some very inappropriate things about bats fornicating with tankers' gun-barrels to death, as he leaves.*

Me- Hmm atleast my aim is right, with a throw. Erren, perhaps my Ego's weapons protocols need tweaked! Shadow, sorry about the wolfie over on the floor. I think Coop's troglodyte head, may have damaged it. Speaking of heads, is mine ever going to stop hurting???!!!

---

Shadow Andreas -

Are you out of your mind Bats?!?!?! You may not always like Coop but he is still on "our" side.....most of the time! As for my Woolfie....you can pay for the repair since you are the one the messed it up.

You need rest....go to sleep you psychopath (smiling with a grin).

I pat him on the shoulder and start to walk out. "Eren, let me know about his progress, would you?"

"Certainly Mr Andreas, I will keep you updated on his recovery" said Eren.

"Thanks again for all your help" I call out as I exit the building.

I hop back in Crixda's Nomad. Wonder where the boys are, I think to myself. I pull out my com......"CRIX, where you at......is everything good?" Silence over the com......I try again....."DAWN PATROL.....what's your status?"

---

Atticus Batman -

Me - I am NOT a psy (Erren interupts)

Erren - Batman, he is gone.

Me - Fine. Next time he contacts you, tell him to have that overgrown Gorrilla fix the crappy gun and put it on my tab.

Erren - How do you always get away with that type of talk about Torc?!

Me - We were friends in a different time and place, perhaps that was even a different me, as he has suggested.

Erren - Speaking of witch, I assume he knows about your condition that requires that "SPECIAL" ego. But does Shadow, or any of Dawn Patrol, for that matter? And what is with you and Lawman Cooper. You are the only one I have ever seen him have this kind of reaction with.

Me - It was long ago Erren. Don't worry about it. As for my "Condition", the only one I have ever told by choice was Torc, and the only others who know, need to know. Dawn Patrol does NOT need to know, because it may endanger them more.

Erin - Fine, I will just do my best to help you, now sleep. You need it.

Me - Erren , what the jekk are you doing with that needle?!

(Erren injects me with something)

Erren - relax it will just help you rest. Dawn Patrol needs you back into prime condition. They do NOT need to be worrying about you!

Me - You devious little Bi......(falls alseep)

Atticus Batman -

Grid Slaughter: When Legends Collide

I am driving a green challenger, I had picked up from the Defiant Few before I set off for Port Bruno. I have been in Silicon Valley for a few days randomly killing Grid as I encountered them, when I rescue a rancher before he is infected near Belmont Hills. The scared fellow tells me, he and his friends had heard that more Grid were congregating in Crystal Springs. Thinking for a second, I tell him to get in then take him Southwest to the Water Temple. I heard some E -rep are protecting that location, so he may be safe there. Hours later, we arrive at Water Temple. There doesn't seem to be much there, though there are some vendor trailers and the E-rep I was told about.

Talking to the E-rep, I convince them to make sure the rancher is taken care off. I toss the poor fellow, some scrip before I stock up on armor and ammo. I tell the rancher to stay safe, and when he asks what I am going to do, all I say before getting into my Challenger is, "Crystal Springs." I then pull out of the Temple area, headed straight for Crystal Springs.

On the way there, I notice movement, just before my ego warns of a nearby Grid signal. I slam on my brakes, and get out. I quickly hunt down the nearby Grid and methodically slice them apart with my blade, when I hear somebody behind me. I spin around and standing before me is a Casti bastard that I recognized, but not as a rancher as his attire would address but as a soldier, before my ego, finally registered his dark Matter signature.

Him - "I recognize that ruthless technique! But how can it be?! Kabule, you should be dead! Torc, himself reported you killed at the hands of Captain Cooper in the Battle of Defiance!"

Me - "Kabule is dead! He died when that Castithan woman hit the ground! The man you knew doesn't exist anymore. Now tell me Lieutenant Seto, what are you doing here? You are NO rancher, no matter how you are dressed!"

Lieutenant Seto - "Aw, but those humans would never allow a Dark Matter Lieutenant to just wander around and take their stuff, would they? Not even that worthless race is that oblivious! However a defenseless rancher, doesn't get a second glance. It is so easy! Of course you must know that. I mean look at you! You are that hero we have heard about! Our own little Kabule a hero siding with HUMANS! We can't have that can we?!"

Me - "I told you Kabule is dead!"

Lieutenant Seto - "Not yet, but he soon will be. However, before you die, I must thank you for killing those Grid for us. They are such a waste of ammo."

Lieutenant Seto of the Dark Matter, still dressed as a rancher, then raises his hand as his soldiers uncloak around me. I quickly sheathe my blade and draw my Sumi, and get several shots off, killing my former ally. Then I turn to fight off his men, dressed in proper Dark Matter garb. As I fight them off, I can't help but wonder if that rancher I saved, set me up.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle Starr had narrowed down her search for Atticus Batman to Silicon Valley, which made perfect sense since that was where the majority of grid seemed to be. She had driven her red ATV to the edge of Crystal Springs, but all she found were hell bugs scampering to the pit mines at the beginning of a Hellfire conflict. The hell bugs would eat crystal found there to aid in their spawning periodically, and it made for great target practice, but Belle didn't have time for such frivolities.



Suddenly Belle heard the sounds of conflict south of her position, down the road that led from Crystal Springs to Water Temple. She directed her ATV to the top of a small bluff, examining the combat zone on the road below through the scope of her SMG-EEC, spotting her quarry surrounded by a score of Dark Matter soldiers trying to kill him, with several more dead at his feet.

To her credit, Belle didn't hesitate to act! With a rebel yell she gunned her ATV down the bluff and into the midst of the Dark Matter soldiers, somersaulting off it, landing on her feet, and firing at them with her overcharge activated through her EGO. To her delight, the forty percent chance that her blur power would be activated by her prototype VBI SMG-ECC when she reloaded happened, and she laughed as she blurred and fired overcharged bullets into the Dark Matter Ranks until there were no more soldiers to fire at.

Only Atticus Batman and Belle Starr remained standing on the broken and bloodied asphalt highway, facing each other in grim silence. Belle's arms and gun still glowed orange from the overcharge because of the EGO perks she chose, although the blur had worn off. She tilted her honey blond head and lightly bit her lower lip as she regarded him with big blue eyes.

"Hi, I'm Belle Starr, y'all must be Atticus Batman," She drawled, then added with a grin, "Y'all are under arrest! Sure do hope you come quietly!"

---

Atticus Batman -

Looking down at the beautiful young blonde, I can't help but smile behind my mask. I then sling my Sumi over my shoulder and head to Lieutenant Seto's body. Kneeling by his body, I talk to her. "You are much shorter than I expected, still good to see you are alive though. Starre is it? Right, Starr, meet Lieutenant Seto. Coop has him on a Most Wanted Datastick. He is Dark Matter." I search him and find his Dark Matter tracker. Then I go over to the truck nearby and look in back, finding a load of stolen gear and egos. Then I go back to the girl still watching me with interest.

"You know if you want your lip bit, all you have to do is ask instead of doing it yourself. Now where were we? Oh yes arrest. You know I could easily get away. However I suppose you were just sent to see if I would make you a martyr. However I will go willingly if that is what you want. But shouldn't we get those egos and gear to safety first. Hmm arrest. Tell me is that blowhard Coop still the law in Paradise? It has been awhile. Yes let us go see him. I would like to see his face when he realizes that I have escaped death again."

I lean down and give her a kiss on her forehead, as I push the barrel of her smg down towards the ground, so I don't get shot, and hand her Seto's tracker. Then I get in the truck.

"Get in. We need to take this to Water Temple, and there is a rancher that has some questions to answer about why he sent me here. Then we can go see good ole Jon!"

---

Belle Starr -

"OMG, he's tall! I mean I'm six feet tall!" Belle thought to herself, resisting the urge to bite her lower lip as she evaluated her choices in the present situation, "I could kick him in the balls like I did to Nolan when he showed up in the Bay Area months after stealing the Soleptor gem from me! I could challenge him to a duel and show him who the martyr would be! But he is willing to go peacefully with me to see Cooper after a quick side trip, and that's what I wanted - plus I can't just leave a bunch of contraband EGOs lying about! But I REALLY want to kick him in the balls, especially after that condescending kiss on the forehead!"



Belle sighed as she accepted Seto's tracker, glancing with narrowed blue eyes at the smoking wreckage of her ATV, replying as she climbed into the truck's cab, "I guess you better drive!"

As she rode to Water Temple, she had her EGO unit examine Seto's tracker, finding a hidden encrypted data chip within. Belle grinned broadly as she and her EGO worked quickly as a team to decrypt the hidden information, but the smile turned to a pretty pout as she asked Atticus Batman, "Who is Kabule? The only Kabule in my EGO's records is a blood thirsty Dark Matter officer who was killed years ago!... Years ago by Cooper at Fort Defiance!... Why would this Dark Matter Lieutenant be looking for him now, unless... ?!?!?"

Atticus Batman could almost see the gears twirling in Belles pretty blond head as the blood drained from Belle's freckled face, her wide blue eyes staring at him and getting wider as her hand moved quickly to the Wildcat pistol holstered in her belt.

---

Atticus Batman -

Slamming on the brake, I bring the truck to a stop, and turn toward the blond, who by most standards would be tall, however compared to my 6 foot 6 ½ frame, is still a little short.

"Would an actual kiss stop the question? I suppose not, it may get me shot before you get your answer. What a pity, it's been so long. But fine I will fill you in. However the secret must stay between us!

Kabule was an Irathiant, who's team gave him that call sign because he reminded them of the kabulekǝ (plural of kabule) that ran wild on the planet Irath. He was definitely a volatile force on and off the battlefield. His only friend, even among the Votanis Collective or Ekaru Kome was a Sensoth. You may know him. Coop calls him friend, I call him Furball, but you probably know him better as Torc Moc.

Since you are a journalist, I am sure you are quite familiar with the "Journal of Renee Kirby". Kabule was also there but that information was redacted. Renee Kirby, even left any reference to him out of her journal.

You see, Torc actually had 3 Irathiants with him not 2. However the third stayed in the shadows, watching his allies' backs and uncomfortable with the idea of being near a human. The third was Kabule, a Dark Matter enforcer under Nim Shondu's command and sent to scout for weaknesses. That night the Castithan died, Torc, his 2 seen Irathiant friends and a Liberata stayed with the humans.

Kabule, who was very efficient with whatever guns he had, stayed on a rooftop near the Palace of Fine Arts. He spent all night protecting his only friend, by sniping any threat he saw, instead of notifying Nim of weaknesses. When he did finally meet up with Torc again the next day, his friend saw the turmoil in his eyes. Nolan saw a good side trying to surface, Torc told me Nolan said so himself. As for Cooper, everyone could tell, all he saw was a trapped animal looking for a way out. Cooper gave Kabule that way out with a bullet to his ego. By all recorded and official accounts, Kabule's story ended there. However witnesses said Torc, carried his friend's body to an evac unit. Those same witnesses insist he was still breathing. Months later Kabule's ego and tracker were found in the rubble of Fort Defiance, even though the few witnesses that would talk about it, still insisted he was taken away.

As your ego has no doubt told you by now, Kabule's records ended there, some information redacted and locked away behind classified red-tape that even Shondu can not get through.

You see, secretly Kabule was taken to a secret Emc medical station where he was kept alive by artificial means. At some point Von Bach Industries, was brought in to see what they could do to save him, and if they couldn't then they could keep his broken ego for research purposes. Rather than keep the whole unit, they managed to make it a new housing and save the actual unit. That is when it was decided to put the broken ego housing and his now deactivated tracker, in the wreckage of Fort Defiance. With the Terra-spire explosion doing so much damage, nobody would question finding a broken ego housing and Dark Matter tracking unit.

The Kabule mentioned in your records, and the one that Dark Matter is looking for is dead. Coop killed him by shooting and corrupting his ego, a corruption that wasn't noticed since Vbi wasn't yet that familiar with ego units. That ego has since failed and been replaced. That was 4 egos ago.

Yes as you have no doubt realized I was Kabule. That Kabule died when the innocent Castithan died, it just wasn't official until Coop killed him. The only one that originally knew for sure was Torc. However I am certain Nolan has figured it out as well, by the way thank you for not kneeing me, like you did him. I am not so sure about Cooper, since I haven't seen him for a while. Obviously Seto's unit knows, although I am hoping it ends there. And of course you now know, and as you can see I have not been uncomfortable around a human since then. Tell me, don't I deserve a life after war, like everyone else?! Now put that pistol away. We have a truck to drop off and a rancher to question, before we go say hello to Cooper. Perhaps my presence will give him a heart attack!"

I chuckle at my last comment, then start the truck back up and continue on to Water Temple.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle blinked her diamond blue eyes once, then sighed and holstered her gun, staring at the road as it disappeared under the truck's forward motion. She closed her eyes, the edges of the her rose petal lips turned downward as she thought, "Yeah, everybody deserves a second chance. God knows I've been given more than one!"



Belle replied out loud, "I know Torc and Jon both. They sent me in alone to kill my best friend's brother, Nim Shondu!" Belle visibly winced at the memory, Nim being one of the first persons she ever killed, and even though the alternative would have been the death of everyone in the Bay Area, it still haunted her that she couldn't find at better way than just killing him.

She opened her eyes again, turning in her seat to regard him feeling she could trust him as well, and that one secret deserved another, "OK, since we are sharing secrets, I have one too that is not for public consumption! Daddy was a bit of a mad scientist at VBI, convinced that you aliens were going to drive humans to extinction, so he decided to do a little gene splicing while I was in Mom's womb, to create the ultimate super soldier to fight y'all. Of all the things he decided to splice me with, he decided that a Volge would be best, in particular a Viscera! Then to top it off, when I got to be of toddler age, Daddy dearest thought it a good idea to put a prototype EGO in the back of my neck, although I didn't find out about it until over a decade later, but it made me a fast learner! Like I said, mad as a hatter, but also a genius!"

Belle turned back to looking at the road as she continued, "The Viscera genes give me super strength at times, letting me access my adrenalin, and some invulnerability at times, like I can jump off the Golden Gate bridge to the pavement below and survive - long story, don't want to get into it - and I can teleport from place to place if I have been to a location and it lays along certain Ley lines, like Water Temple. I could of teleported there, but I can't take anyone with me! Oh, and keen senses too! You wouldn't believe what some of the raiders say during battle! That's the upside, the downside is... "

Belle looked down staring intently at the old and weathered dashboard of the truck, trying to find her next words in the cracks and dust thereon, before saying, "The downside is that the monster is still inside me wanting to get out! The Volge side of me enjoys killing, and if I don't keep control, it will just continue to kill and kill until nobody is left alive. So... I let it kill the bad guys, and make sure I'm always aware that I can't cross a certain line! Luckily, I've got some good team mates, some good friends, that have reeled me in when I lost control a couple of times! Anyway, I'm the-glass-is-half-full sort of girl, so I'm lucky in that I can help the innocents of Paradise with my powers!"

For some reason, Belle felt good telling Atticus Batman her story, even though she knew it violated her rule of stranger-danger, for she felt she could trust him, although she didn't have a clue as to why. She looked at Atticus Batman with a mischievous glint in her blue eyes as she smiled asking, "So you heard what I did to Nolan, huh? That's another super power I have, but that's a power every gal has over a guy!"

Belle then giggled like a school girl, which was somehow endearing but unexpected coming from a self proclaimed super heroine!

---

Atticus Batman -

Still driving, I swerve a little when I hear her laugh, a laugh that reminds me of back when Von Bach hired me for my 'Special' skills, and brought me back to Paradise aboard the EMS New Freedom on it's final ill-fated trip. I quickly get back on the road, but can't help but glance at her again wondering if she noticed, as I try to keep my emotions in check, a full-time job indeed.

"You don't have to tell me about keeping internal demons in check. Kabule was Nim's favorite Enforcer for a reason!" I shrug to try to keep in check and am reminded of a pain around my ego that I have felt since my 'awakening'. I see her wince at my slight anger and go back to focusing on the road while I drive. "Sorry, we all have our problems. At least you don't look like your 'monster'." I glance at her through the mirror, and smile under my mask. "you don't look like a monster at all. I on the other hand..." (I quickly adjust my helm to make sure it is securely in place.) "Well it's not like I can show my face. Even if it wasn't the face of a dead Dark Matter Enforcer, it would still give people some discomfort.

Anyway, I am GLAD nim is dead, but am sorry you had to be the one to do it. I wish I could have but well, Mr. Von Bach and ambassador Shondu after some discussion with Torc, felt my 'special skills' although suited well for assassination were needed to bring down some 'key' Dark Matter locations, while they sent somebody of (grits teeth) Coop's choosing in to distract and if possible stop Nim, while I disabled his troops and replacements. Knowing Lawman Pooper, I knew it would be a younger soldier type more willing to follow his orders without much dissent towards him or the mission."

I then rub my aching ego again, but try to make it look like I am doing it for emphasis on what I am about to say.

"However you aren't the only one with a unique implant. I am still getting used to this one, and this jekking cyber rigging skragi, Rosa has me in."

After realizing what I just admitted, I give her another quick glance.

"Forget I mentioned a cyber rig, alright?"

I then slam on the breaks as we get to the Water temple.

"We are here. You're the soldier. Go tell the E-rep lackeys about the cargo. I have a rancher to talk to over there." As I open my door, I finally remember to say, "Please."

I point towards the frightened looking rancher, then slide out of the truck, and go to question him about the trap. It doesn't take long for him to admit that he was paid some scrip for his trouble, and threatened with the loss of loved ones if he didn't follow through and send me to the trap. Since my ego registers that he is being truthful, I assure him that he is free to go. Then I go, to do a little shopping while waiting for the beautiful young soldier girl to come back, trying to remember when I even had a meaningful or at least long conversation with a pretty face.

---

Belle Starr -

"Doe's he think I'm a mere soldier," Thought Belle to herself with more than a little hurt pride, "I'm a VBI Associate, on the fast tract to being an executive! I know all about the cyber rig prototypes, as VBI is going to be the one mass produced them. Shoot, this time next year I'll be a VBI Vice President and have a 'gold member' cyber rig both for sure!"

She shrugged mentally then sashayed over to the E-Rep soldier, batting her diamond blue eyes and smiling demurely, handing him her embossed business card that read, "Belle Starr, VBI Associate," then asked in her best southern drawl, "I sure would take it kindly if you would get this here truck over to VBI headquarters in Silicon valley. Looks like it's got some stolen EGOs that I'm sure our VBI scientists would like to examine. I'd do it myself," Belle added as she gestured toward Atticus Batman, "But I got to get that there hombre to Law Keeper Cooper."



"Captain Grant has standing orders to help you anytime in any way, so sure thing Ms. Starr, anything to help," The young E-rep soldier excitedly replied, "But would you please do one thing for me?"

Captain Grant of E-Rep was grateful because Belle had saved his soldier son stranded on an island over run with hell bugs somehow controlled by a madman but Belle preferred not to name drop to get her way. She let others do it for her! Belle's smile broadened, showing perfect white teeth, as she answered, "Sure thang honey, what can I do for ya?"

"Uh..." The young soldier asked nervously, "My girlfriend is a big fan of yours! Would you mind autographing the back of your card for me? Just put 'To Earl, best wishes for the New Year!' then please just sign it!"

Belle raised one blond eyebrow as her rose petal lips made a pretty pout, asking, "Your girlfriend's name is Earl?" but as the soldier turned red in the face and started to stammer, she quickly mugged an exaggerated wink to save him from being too embarrassed, saying "That's ok sweetie! I'll write it just like you asked! Although I'll add 'with love', if y'all don't mind!"

The soldier positively beamed as he got the address from Belle to where to take the truck full of contraband to, but as she nonchalantly chatted him up as to his hometown and such, she was really listening from afar with her enhanced hearing to the conversation between Atticus Batman and the frightened rancher. Belle was tensed to intervene if it looked as if he was going to hurt the Rancher, but was relieved to see she didn't have to. When it looked like Atticus was through with his questioning of the rancher and now was examining the vendors, Belle walked seductively, albeit not conscious of it, towards him.

Belle leaned with her back against the vendor, one foot up on it as she said with a smile, "Well we could go see Law Keeper Cooper now, or we can follow up on any leads you got from that there fella! Either way is fine with me, as long as by the end of the day I hand you over to Cooper! I have a date at The Crater tonight with my handsome Irathian boyfriend and a bottle of Champagne!"

---

Atticus Batman -

"The Rancher's lead, will prove to be a rather difficult task, since it appears the only name he heard besides Lieutenant Seto's was that of the assassin Nujekpe. You see that lead is a dead end, or at least dead. He has been dead for over a week now, shortly before I came Grid hunting. I guess he didn't get to live to see his plan fail, since his would-be target got to him first."

I rub my ego again, and notice it doesn't hurt as much.

"Shall we go see Cooper now, Ms. Starr. You know Cooper and ambassador Shondu will just release me, after making sure I haven't killed an innocent and making sure I am fine after what happened last year, right? They always do, for reasons that are still above your clearance, as is the knowledge Of Kabule for that matter. And don't try to tell me you have that clearance, or you would have already known who Kabule was. However, I know a go-getter like you will have that clearance and whatever else you want in due time. Now, since I haven't seen much of Paradise for quite awhile, I suppose we will still go see Cooper and make both, you and Shondu happy.

So tell me is that Casti reporter, Mr. Azrael still trying to get a scoop on me from the VBI catacombs, or have they finally let him out for some air?"

I start walking towards a rock cropping a little ways away from Water Temple, near a wrecked roller, where I hid my Challenger.

"You coming? Relax I am just going to where my Challenger is hidden. Don't worry, you'll go on that date, even though I am sure any guy would be willing to wait for you."

I rub my ego yet again, glad that the pain I have felt for the last week is finally almost gone. Hopefully that means my body has finally adapted to my new ego. I then get in, and unlock the passenger door for lovely Belle Starr so she can get in.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle sighed before she replied, "Atticus, I've got to bring you in! I gave my word of honor to Ara - kind of! Plus, if we can get this straightened out with the authorities, we can vindicate your good name, and you can then continue to do... what you do!"

Belle watched Atticus Batman circle around the Green Challenger to the driver's side and get in. Belle thought he moved like a jungle cat, not that she had ever seen a jungle cat in real life, but she had seen one in a vid. She also thought that she had seen someone move just like him a long time ago... almost two years ago, on the ERS New Freedom! Unfortunately, she couldn't remember who or what the circumstances were. Belle wished she had x-ray vision like the superman she read about in a comic when she was a kid, then she could see what Atticus looked like under the helmet and maybe solve this mystery.



Belle was thinking about just asking him to remove it to let her see his face, being pretty sure he wouldn't, when she heard a sound behind her like the crackling of electricity. She turned only to find several grid coming out from behind some vehicles wrecked at the side of the road. She pulled her SMG-EEC and pulled the trigger, only to hear the click of it hitting an empty chamber.

"Darn rookie mistake!" muttered Belle to herself," as she unslung the Berserker Shotgun she had retrieved from her wrecked ATV and began firing as they began to copy her EGO powers.

---

Atticus Batman -

Hearing an electric crackle and the cry of an empty gun, I dive out of my Challenger's window roll to my feet, and draw my amakuni as I stand and leap into battle. After slicing a few Grid, I blur past my armed 'escort' and lunge into the center of them and drop a Shrill grenade at my feet, as I roll away. As I spring to my feet, I glance at that blond and my mind wanders, still trying to place where I know her from. I know it couldn't be from a bedroom prelude since the last of those I could remember was in a different life, Kabule's life, only weeks before he lost that life. Atticus batman could never do so due to the risks; A stranger seeing his scarred face and freaking out, or worse a stranger recognizing the face of a dead Dark Matter soldier, an enemy using it against him in some way, or worse attacking while his guard is down and there is an 'innocent' in the room; no he could NEVER allow that, not as a protector of the weak and innocent. But I know her from somewhere, I wonder, if she's......*more gunfire interrupts and gets my attention*.

As I shake my thoughts of the past away, I see some Grid Purifiers coming from behind the rocks, so I pull out my sumi and unleash a fury of lead on them. After they are dead, I glance over at miss Starr and see that she has killed the rest. While she is surveying the damage, I give her backside a quick look over and decide just what to say. I believe I know where I know her from now and boy has she filled out since, but need to see how she responds before I can be sure I am right, and then decide if I want to tell her.

"That was fun. Not as thrilling as being on a stratocarrier with busted escape pods getting shot down, but still fun! Tell me, were you ever on a shot down stratocarrier, Ms. Starr eyes? Perhaps with josh Nolan and Carl Von Bach?.................You were that skinny blond that was always near Nolan, or messing with things you shouldn't have, aren't you? Perhaps I do have another secret to share, if you are, her."

I then hop back in the challenger and turn it on, waiting for her to compose herself and get in. Wondering if she really was who I think. In case she is, it is best to tell her in the Challenger, where the engine sound will keep anybody from listening in.

---

Belle Starr -

After surveying the battleground, letting her EGO's radar confirm that there were no more hidden Grid around, Belle Starr turned her tousled blond head to Atticus Batman, her diamond blue eyes narrowing as she tried again in vain to figure out where she had seen him before today. Her eyes widened again when he mentions the crash of the ERS New Freedom, but she slowly strolls to the passenger side of the green Challenger, taking her time getting in so that she can collect her thoughts.

"Everyone knows the story of my survival of the crash of the ERS New Freedom, thanks to that noisy East Coast freelance reporter's vid podcast interview of me and later the book he wrote about my adventures, so Attius could be just trying to rattle me, but then why?" Belle queried herself, but couldn't think of any rational answers.



Smiling, Belle turned to him as he started the car and began down the road asking,"Everything you said about me and the ERS New Freedom is true, but it's also public knowledge. It's public that I met Nolan and Von Bach on the stratocarrier, and that I was a skinny blond teenager when I did so. You don't have to be an investigative reporter and researcher like Mr. Azrael to discover that, and by the way, yes he is still very much interested in you and will probably pester me all day tomorrow for an interview about our encounter. Besides the point - what I want to know is what you meant 'by messing with things you shouldn't have'? As a young machinist, I was like a kid in a candy shop back then, curious about every what-cha-ma-doodle on the ship. Just now I'm curious about what kind of secret y'all have to tell me?"

---

Atticus Batman -

Glancing at her in the mirror, I can't help but chuckle.

"Easy, I mean breaking into a 'CLASSIFIED' armory on board, the only armory with sophisticated locks that go beyond simple entry-codes.

(pauses for a second)

Officially, Atticus Batman NEVER got on the New Freedom, a war vet brought on with the combined orders of the Earth Republic and Votanis Collective took his place. The vet who never gave a name, was put in charge of the armory where he stayed most of the trip, only coming out to go to the Mess Hall, or the Cargo bay to hear Von Bach's last speech.

Anyway, this scrawny girl, was constantly snooping. Even trying to get into the Classified armory, without success. That is until the day before the hard landing! (I chuckle at that) She managed to find a way to trick the retinal and DNA scanner and open the Armory's door.

The vet....I was inside. I heard the door open and heard a melodic giggle, Definitely NOT Von Bach, and spun around. That GIRL, saw me without my mask! I mean plenty of doctors, nurses and scientists saw it over the years but all had clearance up the a**. That girl, walked in, the door closing behind her, and giggled again then asked if she could see what I was guarding. I said no, and reached for my mask but she stopped me.

This little blond human, she actually looked at me with curiosity, and maybe even a friendly glint in her eye. Nobody who saw me with out the mask smiled or stayed in proximity long. They saw my scarred and disfigured Irath mug with slightly burned out looking eyes, and always gave me a look of fear sometimes mixed with loathing. But this, this young woman, she not only wasn't afraid, but she actually walked up to me and touched my scar! (I tap the left side of my helmet) I asked why she wasn't afraid, and she actually said, "Why? That scar makes you unique and even distinguished! "

Nobody was EVER that polite, especially when my face wasn't covered. But She was genuinely nice to me, A disfigured alien. She even blushed and giggled again. However her touch, a friendly curious touch, like I hadn't felt in a long time. And those nice words caught me off guard.

All I could manage to say was, "Thank you. Your eyes look like blue stars pulled from the heavens, Starr Eyes." That made her giggle hysterically but I never knew why or asked her name. Instead, I finally regained my composure and put my mask back on. Then I escorted her out the door. As I ushered her out she asked, where I got the scar. To which I replied, "Well Starr Eyes, if you ever get the clearance and find me again, then I will tell you."

She did whisper something as I put my helmet on, though I never caught what.

However that wouldn't be the last time I saw her. I had 2 more encounters with her. That evening I went to the Mess for supper as usual. I was sitting in a dark corner by my myself as usual and saw her with Nolan, the one human on board who would be able to recognize and identify me easily, if he saw me without my mask. As she left the Mess, I saw those star eyes approach my table. She dropped some kind of bar on my plate. She said, "It's my favorite candy bar, but you look like you need the enjoyment more." She giggled that melodic giggle again then bounced off. I don't know why but I ate it....It was actually good but since it was unwrapped I still have no clue what it was.

The third and last time was the next day. Von Bach insisted I be in the Cargo Bay with all the other Ark Hunters for his speech. I was leaning against a railing up the steps, and saw her a little ways away. There was a hard rocking as the ship was shot. I glanced again and she was laying on the ground with fallen crates next to her. Everyone else was panicking and running for the escape pods or to their stations. I lept over that rail, and picked her up. I couldn't just leave her but couldn't just leave other injured people so I had to make a choice. I did a quick survey and saw Nolan and the Irathient girl nearby. I knew it would risk my secret but I couldn't leave her there. So I quickly got her to Nolan, who I knew would do what it took to keep her safe. He was always the gallant soldier when needed.

When I got next to him and handed her off, I knew, right then, that he recognized something in my eyes. However he seemed to ignore it and usher the girls to escape pods, and allowed me to go see to the others on board, to try to help them......"

(Long pause)

"Sadly not even I could help everyone no matter how hard I tried. I never saw that star eyed girl again, or knew for sure that she made it. Sure I heard your story, but I couldn't keep my hopes up that the girl who actually showed me kindness and friendship, the one I risked my freedom to save, really did survive.

I couldn't ask Nolan, when I met him later. He never met Atticus Batman before, because Atticus Batman was NEVER on the New Freedom, according to all official records. I couldn't risk my new identity and life as a hero, Arkhunter and protector. Not even to ask about the only person, besides Torc, to show me friendship and actual kindness. Unlike Torc, she didn't know anything about me except that I was an imposing and scary alien with scars and cloudy grey-blue eyes, but she still showed me kindness. I can never forget that, somebody could actually be nice to me for no reason. why? Just knowing I might have saved somebody like that, has motivated me ever since."

(another long pause)

Then I mumble to myself, "she can't really be little Starr eyes can she?" Then I decide what the heck, I've gone this far why not go all out? I quickly ask my ego if we are still alone, and stop the car. When she confirms that we are, I find myself doing something that I have not done in a long time. I actually remove my helmet to let somebody, other than Torc or a doctor, see my face. Then I reach back and adjust my fuschia ponytail, and actually smile a little, perhaps more of a smirk, but it was the best I could do after so long.

             

---

Belle Starr -

Belle's blue eyes grew wide as Atticus took off his helmet and adjusted his fuchsia pony tail, then she smiled as she reached out and tentatively, gently, touched his scar, replying, "What I said that day was 'I'll find you, I promise' and the candy bar was a Hershey's Chocolate bar. Funny how Hershey, Pennsylvania, is still around after all this time! Even funnier is that we are too!"

Belle withdrew her hand slowly, reluctantly, "Starr eyes! I should have known who you were the minute you said it! You were the only one to ever call me that! You looked so lonely, so vulnerable, that day in the armory! You looked how I felt, another misfit toy on an island of misfit toys! I had been cloistered ever since my uncle took custody of me in New York, like a nun in a nunnery, only let out to be trained as a weapon of mass destruction, so when I was let out on the stratocarrier - alone and unsupervised - I went a little crazy, wanting to see everything and everyone! And there you were, locked up in the armory, reminding me so much of... me! I didn't see the scars - heck, I had plenty myself, I just kept them on the inside! I didn't see the alien - just another lonely person!"

A sad smile grew on Belle's pretty freckled face as she hesitated before continuing, "In that, I guess you changed me too! I'd been taught by my uncle that aliens were to be hated and feared - big scary boogeymen who would hurt me if given half a chance, part of the training you know! But there I was and I wasn't afraid and you weren't trying to hurt me! You were just you - a unique and distinguished person in your own right! Meeting you brought back what Papa Boudreaux - he wasn't my real daddy, just my adopted one - had taught me before in N'Awlins when I was a kid, before my uncle killed him in an 'accidental' fire and took custody of me! Papa Boudreau used to say, 'Never judge a book by it's cover' and 'Every life is precious', so that's how I try to lead my life - I protect the innocents, until they show me they aren't! My sister says that I care too much for people, and that makes me weak, but I think that makes me strong, and I thank you for getting me back on the right tract back then!"

Belle giggled, still melodic to his ears, saying, "You know, I was really prepared not to like y'all when I first met you! From what Ara had told me, You were chaos personified and I'm a law and order sort of gal! Then after we met you kept doing and saying things that rubbed me the wrong way, like calling that poor soldier boy 'E-Rep lackey', when he's just some Joe trying to a job and get a paycheck, with a girlfriend and a life of his own. A lot of people, including my sister, think I do things like taking the time to talk to Earl just because I like the attention, which I kind of do too, but the main reason is that they are innocents, and if I can lighten their load a little or brighten up their day a tad, then I'm doing good! I guess I have you to thank for that too! Anyway, no matter how much I tried to dislike you today, I couldn't, and now I guess I know why!"

Then Belle did something impulsively, she reached over cradling his chin in both of her dainty pale hands and kissed him on the lips, not as a lover would, but as a close friend would after being absent for far too long.

---

Blackgut -

elsewhere at the same moment the 13th dragoons leader blackgut receives information of a volge siteing that will lead the dragoons to san fran in their search for the grand warmaster that nearly destroyed the 13th infrintce during the war and to a incounter of new and old

---

Atticus Batman -

Blinking in shock, not only from the gentle kiss, but from somebody actually being so relaxed near me, I gently kissing her back. Although I find myself not wanting to break contact, I not only do so but I also push her back, seeing the hurt in her eyes as I do so, that tells me she thinks I am rejecting any friendship that she is showing me. I gently run my hand through that wonderfully beautiful blond hair of hers, then straighten back up.

"Relax Starr eyes, I am glad you are alive and the kiss was Very nice, definitely more affection then I remember ever feeling. However, I did promise you an even bigger secret if you were indeed her. The secret of how we met, although a secret for reasons you must already know, wasn't the big secret. I am afraid you will not want to be anywhere near me again, once you learn what select doctors and individuals including Karl Von Bach and his Father know and have been hiding and protecting, but I feel I must tell someone.

That is the BIG secret. Torc knows parts of it, but I feel it's time somebody, I feel I can trust completely, to know it all especially since that data of Seto's apparently mentions at least a little about Kabule.

Your secret of your Viscera spliced DNA tells me that you are the only one who can empathize, or at least sympathize, even though my issue is worse.

You see Before I was given the nickname of Kabule, I was just a vindictive young adult from Omec Colony. After I joined Dark Matter and left Omec Colony, I got more ruthless thanks to the training. That is where the creation of the chaotically destructive Enforcer called Kabule, comes in.

How should I begin? Let us see....I have a deadly condition that is kept in check by, not only my strong will, but also my current friend, (I tap my ego location) Dinara. However it is not just deadly to me, but to everyone around me. Your 'Monster' is your DNA. My monster is much more real and serious.

Right. Maybe I should just quit stalling and get on with it. After joining Dark Matter, the higher ups picked 6 of their best soldiers to "volunteer' to test an experimental Ego. The 'Volunteers', which excluded Castithans, Heaven forbid a precious Casti be harmed, were taken to a medical facility. There were 2 Sensoth, 2 Liberata, and 2 Irathiens. I was one of them. Upon entering, we were ordered to fully disrobe and lay on the 6 examination tables. We were soldiers trained to do as told, so that is just what we did. After laying down, guards nearby shackled our arms, legs, necks, and waists to the table. We were told it was so we wouldn't hurt ourselves during the Ego implantation. It went without incident, but they didn't activate the Egos yet. One of the Senthoth asked why, and we were told, "Shutup, follow orders, and wait. Their is another process that needs taken before activating your egos."

Guards then wheeled stasis pods in, placing one near each of us. Then EVERYONE left the room, and the pods opened. In side were.......JEKKING GRID! Needless to say those Grid proceeded to possess us. One of the Liberata died in the process, the rest of us getting possessed. The guards came in and killed the grid that killed the dead Liberata. The scientists then proceeded to activate our Egos. I blinked and looked around, not yet sure what had happened, when I hear a commotion.

I witness the other Liberata scream in pain and then die and the Grid emerge, attacking the guards and killing 2 before they killed it. The other Irathien never opened her eyes, so they shot her and made sure her Grid was also dead. One of the Sensoth, broke free but he and his Grid companion both were dispatched quickly. The other Sensoth managed to break a shackle and grab a guard's gun, then proceeded to kill himself after realizing what happened. He somehow managed to kill his Grid possessor as well. That left me. I didn't get out as easily as my five comrades. They were dead. I was conscious and wondering what the hell happened.

A scientist filled me in. he said, "It is good to see one survived somehow. I am analyzing you now to see if it actually worked."

I asked, "IF what worked?! What the jek did you do to them, to me?!"

The scientist responded, "We were trying to make the ultimate soldier. The most ruthless being with the conscience of a trained soldier, under command of the Votanis Collective. Sadly it is a failure. Five of the six are dead and two other soldiers killed in their wake. However you are alive. The problem is it shows that the Grid inside you is comatose, so unless I can awaken it and give you control of it with the Ego's help, then the whole project must be terminated and all evidence destroyed."

Over the next few hours the scientists ignored me while running tests and trying to reactivate the Grid. Unfortunately for them, they succeeded. I managed to break my bonds, kill all but two scientists and a handful of guards, and disarm the remaining ones by using strength harnessed from the Grid. The remaining scientists, ordered the guards to stand down, and proceeded to convince me that if they were allowed to reconfigure the Ego a little, I would be able to harness the Grid's abilities at will. I agreed and it worked, sort of. That is when I got the name Kabule. Since then, Nim and Seto made good use of my talents, until......Defiance. You see during the adrenaline rush of battle the Grid always took over, but the Ego helped my inner conscience keep a semblance of control.

At Defiance, when the Casti fell, and the HUMANS went to her aid, the Grid wanted to pull the trigger, even after seeing Torc and his friends go to the humans. I couldn't allow it. Torc was the only one who even talked to me as if I was normal. That is the first time I completely fought the Grid. That is what Nolan and Cooper saw the next day. It was the inner fight between Irathien and Grid.

The doctors at the earth military hospital I was sent to, quickly discovered there was a foreign presence in me. That is when VBI was brought in. Their scientists managed to fully repair my ego and I became a top secret asset. A soldier with the abilities of a powerful entity. The problem was they didn't realize my Ego was now corrupt, or that the reason I had constant issues controlling the Grid was because Grid are a hive mine, Neither did the Dark matter scientists, for some reason, guess they had faulty research. That was discovered about the time my first ego finally failed for good. Fortunately, they managed to put in a more advanced ego that gave me full control, and made the Grid inside see me as it's master brain, so to speak. That second one failed, thanks to a rogue Hulker, before New Freedom.



The third's failure is why I was absent most of a year. I am sure you have heard about the assassins sent after Dawn patrol. What wasn't revealed is that they had a device that allowed them to isolate and target my unique ego. It caused my ego to fail, in hopes that the Grid would take control, kill Dawn Patrol and wipe out at least some of Paradise. Dawn Patrol figured out who was after them and how they destroyed my ego, but never why they focused on my ego specifically. So none of them know, and most likely never will. it was also never revealed that I was hospitalized to those outside of Dawn Patrol and Torc, so everyone thought I had just disappeared or moved on.

Thanks to an attack by the assassins, when they realized that even with the failing ego because I had gained enough will power to keep the Grid in me at bay So I must die for it to come out. However I managed to get a distress call to Shadow, who got to me, got me to Erin and contacted Torc at my request to see if my new 'experimental' ego had arrived because I would need it. After the assassins were dealt with, and it was discovered that I had temporarily gained consciousness but was in a mentally altered state and then had been rendered comatose again and Erin didn't know if I'd survive, most left Paradise. Torc somehow eventually convinced Erin to let him take me to a safe place where he shackled me, and took me off the meds and life support. He felt if I were to die because of all that happened, it should be with a friend and not in a hospital. Instead of dying, once the meds and life-support were gone, my Ego and a Cyber rig, procured thanks to Rosa, finally activated fully. And I suppose you know the rest. Thanks to some photobug and that loudmouth Myth Hunter, Mr. Azrael, I believe everyone knows what I have been up to since my 'return'."

(precariously long pause)

"Sorry to burden you with this Starr Eyes, but now that you know my COMPLETE secret, you must promise me that, if something ever does happen to me, that you make sure that I and that JEKKING GRID ARE BOTH DEAD!"

I then glance at the beautiful blond and her NICE lips and see the shock, resistance and fear in her eyes. I lean in and find myself giving her another gentle kiss and actually hugging a person in a friendly and more shockingly loving manner, instead of the usual 'hugs' of death from behind that I am so used to giving. Then I reluctantly pull away and take one more glance at her.

After a brief pause, I mumble, "please say something, Starr Eyes. Anything." Hoping she will break the silence soon, I look away and put my helmet back on as a tear runs down my right cheek, knowing that revealing that secret may have just ended any closeness, friendship, or love that she may have ever had or could have in the future, for me. Another tear manages to escape, before I can get the helmet secured, but I can't tell if she has noticed it, since she has appeared to just sit there numbly since I revealed that I not only share my body with an advanced and classified Ego, but also with a GRID!
 

---

Belle Starr -

Belle laughed, a hollow bitter laugh that was the antithesis to the melodic giggle Atticus remembered and the last thing he expected of her, then she said, "Holy crap-on-a stick! Aren't we a pair? You and me, Frankenstein's monster and Dr. Jeckel and jekking Mr. Hyde! I had thought only humans could be so ruthless and cruel, but it seems Votans can be too!"

Belle stared out the car's side window, not wanting him to see the tears streaming down her freckled cheeks, "I promise I'll kill you and your grid if I have to, but you have to promise to do the same for me if I lose control of my inner monster and I threaten innocents again!"

She suddenly turned, grabbing his coat's lapels with her two dainty hands, belying the great strength within them, as she forcibly turned him to face her saying through gritted teeth, "But lets not let that happen Atticus! We can do so much good if we just keep control! I have to believe we were given these powers for a reason, one greater than the petty desires of petty men to destroy each other! We were given these powers to do good, maybe by God, maybe not, but now it's our choice - our free will - to choose our destiny!"

As she released him from her iron grip, Belle realized her hands were still shaking with emotion, not really sure if she was trying to convince Atticus or herself of the truth of her words. She took a lace trimmed hanky from a concealed pocket of her Liberty Trooper armor, wiping all traces of the tears away, before once again regaining control and smiling as she jokingly said to him, "But don't think that just because we are now best buds I'm not going to haul your sweet patootey to Law Keeper Cooper! Let's get this show on the road partner!"



Belle rolled down the passenger side window and leaned the chair back as Atticus started the car down the highway towards Port Bruno. She lifted and leisurely stretched her long legs so her boots stuck out the window as she reached into another concealed pocket of her armor, taking out her mother's old silver rosary. As she laid back, she dangled in front of her freckled face the worn crucifix and stared at it with unblinking blue eyes pondering both their destinies.

"No, I can't believe that our lives are thus intertwined just for one of us to kill the other!" Thought Belle as she contemplated the small and barely distinguishable figure nailed to a cross. "No, I know God has bigger plans for us... but I'm just betting they will be painful!"

---

Atticus Batman -

Blinking behind my helm, I whisper, "I'm not the only one in this car with a sweet booty." I drive towards the Port, as I once again admire her in her tight armor. Then I talk to her.

"Of course we will see Cooper. We have to see if my re-emergence gives him a heart attack, remember. By the way there is NO way you can be Frankenstein looking like that. Medusa, a beautiful woman that turns a guy to stone maybe, but NEVER Frankenstein."

I chuckle, hoping Belle catches the naughty insinuation as I continue to drive, casually swerving around skitterlings.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle Starr rolled her diamond blue eyes, replying without pause but with a giggle, "Well, certain parts of a guy turn to stone around me anyway!" Showing she indeed got the naughty insinuation.

As they rode, Belle thought about her Frankenstein analogy. Her father, one of the head scientists at VBI at the time, spliced her genes with those of a Volge, as well as choosing what genes would make her a superior human being, and removing those he deemed unsuitable in a warrior. She sometimes wondered what would have happened if he had just let nature take it's course. Would she have been a great composer or painter? A nurturer with a family of her own? Maybe an idiot savant? Whenever she had such thoughts , she would quickly dismiss them, for although an idealist in many ways, she was even more a pragmatist. Belle's motto had always been, "Whatever is, is!"



Belle felt a little guilty for she hadn't told Atticus her complete story, one part being doing too horrid, too personal, too share with anyone. She had not told him that she was actually on her second EGO unit. When Houston was terra-formed, she was a toddler living there with her parents and whose EGO and Volge genes protected her from the toxins and viruses caused by the disaster. Her parents were not so lucky, catching an alien disease that didn't immediately kill, but which caused the victims to suffer a lingering and painful death. Like so many Texas refugees, they fled to N'Awlins, leaving her with a family friend before they died, a former VBI Black Ops team leader, who she affectionately called Papa Boudreaux and he began her training as a warrior. Luckily for her, and despite VBI orders to the contrary, he taught her his strong ethical code along with his commando's skills.

That was in her biography. What wasn't known by many was that her real father had his and her mother's "minds" downloaded into a prototype ego device before they died, which was the one that later replaced the one she had as a child by her father's VBI cohorts. That EGO was installed into her just before she took the ill fated trip on the ERS New Freedom. Where most ark hunters had blank AI's in their EGOs, Belle's was inhabited first by her dead father's psyche, who pursued his own Machiavellian schemes when she first arrived in the Bay Area, and now by the more benevolent psyche of her mother.

"Just like Frankenstein's monster who had a criminal's brain transplanted into his patchwork body, I had a mad scientist's mind put into my EGO in my gene spliced body," Thought Belle to herself as she continued to concentrate her gaze on her mother's rosary, then sighed, putting the heirloom back into the secret pocket in her armor as she closed her blue eyes, thinking just before she fell asleep, "Yeppers, I'm Frankenstein's monster through and through..."

---

Atticus Batman -

I finally get us to Port Bruno Station. My ego, Dinara, tells me we are still safe. My body is aching from all the activity lately, due to not being active in the better part of a year thanks to those damn assassins. So I park in a safe place, in the remains of a parking garage, and lean back to relax for a little while, admiring the woman's strength and beauty. As I begin to think about things. In my head, "By Irzu, why after all this time with everyone coming and going from my life, do you bring her? Can we really both continue as heroes perhaps even friends, or is she the one that will finally end my misery and kill me and this ACURSED GRID, Sazri skragi?!", after a short pause," You are too a fire sh*t! Fine, is Sazri Kakusi better? Of course you would prefer fire predator.......Wait how can I even hear you, I've never heard you before!

What Dinara?! With your completed activation and integration, I have full control over him, but in turn we can communicate, like you and I?!" Not realizing it, I yell the next part out loud.

"Skragi! Why must I now have two people yelling in my HEAD?! Dinara, I do NOT care if it is more efficient! He is a JEKKING GRID!!! I DO NOT WANT TO BE ALL FRIENDLY WITH HIM!!!

(Now addressing the Grid)

Shut the jek up! I still think Sazri skragi, fits you better! Oh? You insist, it's Sazri Kakusi, do you?! I will call you KAKUSI SKRAGI!!!"

(Laughs maniacally at his insult to his Grid companion)

"Fine, it's Sazri Kakusi!!! HAPPY?! I will call you Kakusi for short! NOW JUST SHUT THE JEK UP!!!"

(another pause as Dinara scolds me.)

Still talking out loud, "Wait, what?! I am talking out loud, and Starr Eyes heard me and must think I have lost it?!.......(Still staring at her even though I just realize it, I see her startled look from being awoken by my shouting self-argument.) "Oh Skragi! Sorry, Starr Eyes. I didn't mean to wake you." I then look away, but can realize it was too late, for she has already seen the embarrassment from me losing it, as well as the severe ache and tiredness that has taken hold while I was driving.

---

Blackgut -

elsewhere the helicopters touch down near an area called the fork droping off blackgut and 15 dragoons and then takeing off and flying back to the base they set up and been useing since the carrier that brought them here went down .



Blackgut -

i watch the helicopters fly off and think to myself about how wed borrowed those helicopters from the mutants who tried to ambush us once . ok dragoons lets move out and see if we can find us some volge

---

Belle Starr -

From his body language and the tone of his voice Belle could tell that Atticus was embarrassed from his sudden outburst. She didn't need her enhanced hearing to hear what he had said, and it was clear that he was having trouble with his inner demon. Belle decided that he didn't need any more stress, so maintained a façade of normalcy, merely smiling as she pulled her long legs back into the car, then stretched her thin but muscular arms in front of her as she yawned, before saying, "Mr. Hyde giving you trouble? Y'all give him trouble right back, you hear!"

Belle avoided looking straight at Atticus as he regained his composure, not wanting to embarrass him any more than he was, so she looked around until she spotted the facility she needed, saying, "No apologies needed! It was time I woke up anyway! There's the little girls' room, I'll be right back!"

Belle arched her back after exiting the Challenger, kneading the kinks out of her back, then sashayed towards the Tunnel entrance. There was a steady flow of people travelling out of the tunnel and into Port Bruno, much more than normal, but Belle had more pressing matters to attend to. Belle entered the ladies room next to the tunnel entrance that linked Port Bruno to San Francisco.

After taking care of business, she went to the sink, throwing water on her face and refreshing her lipstick, raking her hand through her honey blond hair as she contemplated her image in the mirror. Belle thought she looked haggard, that the life she had thrust on her was aging her prematurely, and that she, like Atticus, would never have a chance at a normal life.

Belle replayed in her head what Atticus had asked earlier, "Tell me, don't I deserve a life after war, like everyone else?!"

"Yeah, both you and I deserve it," Thought Belle to herself, "But it's not likely either of us will get it!"

When she left the restroom, she went to the vendor, speaking to an E-Rep soldier stationed there, then sauntered over to the driver' side of the green Challenger, leaning in to speak to Atticus, "Seems like there is a lot Volge gathering in San Francisco, maybe another migration? Got a lot of folk spooked! According to Private Murphy there, the Volge are right where we want to go to get where we want to be! We could go around them, but from what I heard is that they are everywhere, so we may still run into some of them, and we'll add a lot of time to our trip!"



Before Atticus could respond, Belle's blue eyes narrowed and her face became flushed when she recognized one of the refugees coming out of the tunnel. A shabbily dressed dark skinned man with greasy black hair, a gold tooth and a unibrow evidently recognized her too, for he dropped the sack he was carrying and ran in the opposite direction from her. Belle sprinted after him, grabbing the bulky bag he dropped as she ran by, then expertly throwing it so that it hit him from behind just below the knees so that he fell in a ungraceful heap on the ground. He rolled over with a Magnum in his hand, pointing it at her abdomen, but without hesitation she exercised a perfect high kick, knocking the gun into the air which she caught with her right hand, pointing it at the man at her feet.

It was obvious to Atticus that Belle was seething with anger, as she gritted her perfect teeth and cocked the pistol pointed at the sneering man at her feet who relegated her with a string of obscenities in Spanish. He could tell that she wanted to kill the man, and it was taking every bit of her concentration to keep her inner monster contained.

Atticus moved silently behind her putting a hand gently on her right forearm, saying, "Starr Eyes, you don't want to do this! He is unarmed!"

"Oh yes, I really, really do!" Answered Belle, but then she sighed as she uncocked the pistol, putting it in the back of her belt. She pulled the still cursing man to his feet, unceremoniously handcuffing his hands behind his back.

Belle turned to Atticus and stated in a matter of fact way, "Looks like we have another passenger for our visit to Law Keeper Cooper!"

Atticus was glad that Belle could not see his facial expression under his helmet as he asked, "Who is this man to you Starr Eyes?"

Belle looked away for a second, then turned her steely blue eyes back to him as she answered him in a low determined voice, "He's one of three ark hunters that r-aped me a year ago in my first ark break ever, and I promised myself that this one I would bring back alive to face the law! Satisfied?"

---

Atticus Batman -

"I am never satisfied. Law fails. Good people get hurt. Scum gets away. That is life. Personally, I am fine with him being dead. But then I AM 'The Harbinger of Death'. However that is not who you are. You are a law and order person. I am a make order out of chaos person. You did ask me to stop your more demonic side. You also know that, you killing an unarmed man goes against who YOU are, and want to be. I have no such penchant. Believe me if he needs death, he WILL get it."

I don't need to look at the pile that was leaning against my Challenger to know he almost crapped himself, at my mention of Cooper's favorite name for me. I look at him menacingly.

"That's right scum ball. I AM BACK IN PARADISE!"

I open my trunk, and pull out my pack and put it on the hood, then throw him in the trunk. As I start to close the trunk, he spits on me, so I punch him in the eye.

I glance at Belle, who jumped when I hit him, I calmly state, "He slipped, that's all." I glance at the trunk and say, "Isn't that right?" and he mumbles back with, "Yes sir, please don't kill me!"

"You are fine unless you relieve yourself in there. Besides, I doubt 'The Harbinger of Death' wants you dead, as bad as somebody (grits teeth and growls the last part), YOU traumatized in so many ways, does. Just hope, I don't change my mind about stopping her!"

I, then close the trunk. Next I grab my pack, and head to the bathroom.

"Hmm Volge, huh? Well knowing Blackgut and his 13th dragoons, they are probably already on the way, since they do fancy themselves, Elite Volge Hunters. Now, My turn. I am tired of this suit, I need one of my old friends back."

I tap my bag, then go into the bathroom. Once in there, I make sure I am alone, and there are no video bugs or anyway for anybody to see in. I relieve myself, then wash my hands. Then, as I remove my helmet, I look in the mirror and think to myself, "How can anybody really like this scarred face, throat or body? Of course, I doubt this deep husky voice, thanks to Coop's bullet hitting my larynx before damaging my first ego, helps any." Then I quickly take my Trion supporter outfit from the bag and put it on. Next I remove my 'Old Friend', my VBI Infiltrator helm, remove it's protective wrapping and put it on.

"much better."

I then wrap up my collective Predator helm, and place it and my Paladin suit in the bag, then go back out to the car and the lovely Belle. I put my bag in the back of my challenger, and slide my sumi and sword under the seat as I pull out my, EXL LMG and EXL Pistol, which I quickly holster, putting the LMG in the modified console holster between the bucket seats up front.

"I feel much better now. I assume the shtako in the trunk is still alive. Wouldn't want his vile blood and crud all over the interior."

I walk back and kick the trunk.

"Remember if you relieve yourself in there, you are dead once you are out!"

I walk back around and get in.

"Hop in Starr Eyes. You have two reasons to see Pooper now."

I quickly lift my infiltrator helm just enough to show my mouth and flash her an actually genuine though slightly daemonic appearing smile, and drop it back in place just as quickly.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle Starr smiled back at Atticus, but he couldn't help but note it was a smile tinged with sadness, as if she had lost something she could never get back. Belle retrieved her weapons from the back seat of Atticus' green Challenger, then climbed back into the passenger seat. As they headed into the tunnel from Port Bruno, she checked her weapons to make sure they were ready for the coming battles, particularly lingering on her Thorn Liro charge blade and the memories it brought back to her.

As Belle stared at her Thorn Liro charge blade, she started to tell the tale of it's significance to Atticus, hoping it would bring her catharsis, but knowing it wouldn't. Her blue eyes never left the blade as she told her story until the end, when she shifted her glance to him, yet again wishing she had x-ray vision so that she could see his reaction through his helmet.



Although she has replaced the blade several time since she won her hard fought first one in the Thorn Liro arenas, becoming a champion of the Thorn Liro, it represented both the highest point and the lowest point of her life. She took to heart the speech the Thorn Liro leader had given her after successfully completing the five battle arenas, about how those in the highest positions of power should always protect those in the lowest. She had been so proud when he presented her with his mask, which was now on the wall above her desk in her home, always a reminder of her obligations to the common people.

But the Thorn Liro blade also brought back bitter memories as well, of events that occurred way before she earned it in the arenas. Shortly after her survival of the crash of the ERS New Freedom, Belle entered her first ark break, where three vicious ark hunters cornered Belle, beat her senseless, and - did despicable acts to her. Immediately after the sexual assault by the three men and after they left her for dead, she had found her gun where they had thrown it and put its barrel into her mouth with shaking hands, tears still flowing from her closed eyes. Belle couldn't pull the trigger, because she was still alive. Life was still precious to her.

Belle was nineteen then, an awkward lanky girl in a torn machinist uniform, but the more she thought about the r-ape, the emptier she felt. She started believing that it was her fault that it had happened, so weeks later she climbed to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and jumped. When she hit the water she went unconscious, and woke up on the shore, not knowing how she got there. She found out later that her Volge genes had kept her from dying the minute she hit the water from that height and that it was her sister Rose that rescued her from drowning, although she knew neither fact at the time. It was then she realized that life would always be the choice for her, until the option was taken off the table.

Just months ago, she ran into two of the men who had wronged her, in two separate instances of happenstance. First when her team were traveling to Florida to retrieve an ark brain that had activated there. They had stopped in Freedom, Alabama, to get supplies and for some much needed R&R, so she had gone to the marketplace alone to find a skimpy bathing suit to surprise her boyfriend, when she spotted the red headed one of the three. He spotted her too and ran. She chased him through the crowded marketplace, finally cornering him in a blind alley. He pulled a blaster, she pulled her Thorn Liro sword and blurred! It was no contest as she unleashed her inner monster who sliced and diced him into a score of pieces. Freedom's Law Keeper released her from jail when vids and witnesses testified that the red headed man drew his gun first, so they called it self-defense, although she knew for a fact that the outcome would have been the same whether he had drawn a gun or not.

About a month later in Mt. Tam, she entered another ark break, seeing the portly balding bearded man that had held her down while the others had their way with her as he laughed, whereupon he had his turn. This time she did not wait for him to even draw a weapon before she set loose her inner monster and she executed her deadly ballet of death. No one saw her do it this time, but her friends found her covered in his blood, her Thorn Liro charge blade still activated in her hand and pieces of his body strewn all around her. Lucky for her, he had an outstanding bounty for a whole string of felony crimes he had done against the Earth Republic, so that Law Keeper Cooper not only didn't arrest her, but gave her a sizable amount of scrip for killing him. Belle promptly gave the money to charity, but it didn't change the fact that she would have killed him in just the same vicious manner whether he was wanted or not, and the friends that found her knew it from the look on her face.

Now the third man, the worst of the three, the sadist who beat her near to death after the three had defiled her and robbed her of her virginity, of her innocence, was in the trunk of the car she was riding in on it's way to the Law Keeper's jail. Belle mentally struggled as she fought the urge to demand that Atticus stop the car and let her inner monster loose on the man!

"No," Belle said in finality, "I have lost too much of myself to those three animals! I refuse to lose one iota more!"

---

Blackgut -

blackgut; recon report. dragoon ; sir we have 8 foot moblie up ahead near a few wreaked rollers all volge 1 vis 2 bombers 5 troopers heading north sir. blackgut; ok everyone swich to sinpers we will take the high ground to the east of them pick ur target and well take them out at the same time ok were osker mike and rember the visceral mine

---

Atticus Batman -

After hearing the story, I stop the car, lean over and give her a big comforting hug then, go back to driving like it never happened.

"Sorry to hear that Starr Eyes. Don't worry. He will NEVER forget either of us after this trip."

I start to laugh maniacally again, then stop myself.

"Sorry. Guess I better tell you now since you will see him when he gets out of the trunk and begs, yes begs Cooper, to lock him up. If you had looked in the trunk you would have seen that my bag was strapped in place when I retrieved it. If it wasn't it would bounce around badly, like he is. Also behind that interior the whole trunk is lined with sharp bumps, a requirement of all my Challengers. So while he bounces around, he is getting quite the beating. Yes deplorable means in most people's eyes, however he deserves it and worse. He is going to look like a living pile of squashed grapes, when he gets out. So believe me he WILL be begging Coop to get him away from me, and after that seething rage, that you showed him, there is no way he will ever forget either of us.

Now Starr Eyes...Belle just calm down. He will NEVER hurt you again. And if he does he will be begging for that quick death you offered him back there, once I am done with him, for from me he will NEVER get a quick death!!! Just remember you can not let them get to you like that anymore, it is not who you are or were raised to be, besides if you give in like they want, then they ultimately win by further corrupting you. It may not be who Atticus Batman strives to be, but he is not the only one in here. (I tap my head) It's Beauty and the beasts up in there. Between what is left of Kabule still in there but hiding in the deepest recesses with his whisperings of vindication, the Grid calling himself Sazri Kakusi and insisting everyone get assimilated by us, Kabule's reincarnation known as yours truly Atticus Batman trying desperately to use their deplorable and sometimes viscous means for good, and my current ego the lovely Dinara, there are no more vacancies!

You see the biggest difference between us is, you kill a horrid individual, even the worst of the worst, and you hurt and feel as you lost part of you, and even feel bad for them. I kill them and I feel nothing for myself or for them, but satisfaction that one more thing that would hurt an innocent is gone forever. the innocents are safer, the garbage is gone, and I survive. It is the way it is.

Now onto more pressing matters. I am thirsty, but when I pulled my flask out of my bag I discovered it was empty. More importantly I haven't had any rum or more specifically Irathient rum in around a year! Unless there is some in either your bag, or that scum's bag in the back seat then we are taking a detour to Overpass to get some. Besides I am not the only one who wants it, Kakusi keeps asking for it as well. Something about helping my aches, pains, tiredness, and hunger."

Seeing Belle give me an odd look at that, I think to myself and mentally try to get Kakusi to clarify. After about an hour I finally get the information I want from Kakusi and start to talk again.

"Yes hunger.......... You see Starr Eyes, according to this 'DEMON' inside me, he needs specific nourishment. Apparently the combination of ingredients that goes into my favorite Irathi rum, provided him with lots of it. That is why he never completely took over when I had my first ego. He fed more from my thirst and love of rum than he wanted to risk losing. He tried taking control after it failed but Von Bach's scientists hade used what little information they had gathered to make a more advanced one. They kept working, and my last ego was even better, and kept him in control, but at the same time I felt weaker than I had before. It was because that ego basically shackled Kakusi. Egos one and two, barely kept him in check, two doing much better than one. Ego 4 has a different design technique. Instead of trying to control him like egos one and two or completely shackling Kakusi like ego three, ego four was made to allow me to fully harness his powers and energies by making us a hive mind working together with me ultimately in control. Yes I am in control. I just know peaceful and humane means are NOT always the best way! It is the burden that I must bear, for who else is capable and willing?!"

I then go back to focusing on the road, certain that the longer we travel, the more she'll realize she does not want a guy like me as a friend, and that thought actually saddens not only me but surprisingly Kakusi as well, and as such it becomes very visible in my demeanor, as I keep driving.

---

Belle Starr -

Belle smiled briefly and shrugged her slim shoulders, saying, "I know peaceful and humane ways are not always the best way, but I have to agree with Ara that if we are ever to have Civilization back in the Bay Area, it has to become the first way. Violence should be a last resort among intelligent beings, but I'm pragmatic enough to know we are not there yet! Doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying!"

She watched the road a bit through the passenger window, her wide blue eyes watching objects the rocks and wrecked vehicles at the side of the road pass from in front of her and then quickly past her, much like most of the friendly acquaintances she had met in life. They would appear, and just as she got to know and like them they disappeared forever. Then she looked through the Challenger's front window, to the grey hills and mountains in the horizon, noting how they might be in her vision for hours before they disappear. Furthermore, if she came back to find them, they would probably still be there just where she last saw them, unlike the rocks or wrecked vehicles which she may never find again.

Belle thought about how true friends are like those mountains and hills, enduring and forevermore. Her friendship with Atticus was like that! The curious lanky human girl with the easy smile and the scarred alien who had seen too much war became fast friends, and although they had only a brief time together, they had changed each other for the better. And now after all this time, they meet again, just when each of them needed each other to face their inner demons. Belle didn't believe in coincidence, but knew for a fact that their friendship was destined to be renewed just when they both needed it most!

Belle thought about voicing her thoughts, telling him her analogy of their friendship being like a mountain on the horizon, but was afraid he would just think she was some silly dreamy-eyed girl, so instead she merely turned to him smiling and said with all sincerity, "Y'all know that if you ever need help with that there burden, I'm here for you! That's what friends are for!"

Belle didn't wait for a reply, for what could he say, and didn't want an awkward silence to linger between them, so she giggled and observed, "Y'all know, this craving for Irathient rum may only mean that your Grid roomie is really a Grid rummy!"

Belle then went back to watching the road as they made their way to Overpass, not longer watching for metaphors for life but for the very real menace of bad guys hiding behind the rocks and wrecked vehicles along the road.



Meanwhile, Somedude, co-founder of the Team Evolution clan made ready to address a group of eighty of his clan mates in a score of predator vehicles on the road in front of the Happy Pow Farm in Madera, flanked by two Castians, one a teenage girl in black leathers popping gum and the other an older distinguished Castian man in blue armor, who grimaced every time the girl popped a bubble. The older Castian put a crate down on the ground, then helped his somewhat drunk leader onto it as the younger Castian female looked onward in a terribly bored fashion.

Somedude swigged from the beer in his armor gloved hand, just to whet his whistle, before he began his adlib speech to his troops. He looked quite foreboding in his yellow and gunmetal samurai armor, skull mask and top hat, a giant crimefighter shotgun in his other hand, as he shouted, "You lot are the biggest, baddest, meanest posse in all the Bay Area! Thanks to our quartermaster, Bocar here," Somedude gestured at the Castilian male with the hand holding the beer bottle, only spilling a little on him, "You're also the best armed! Now go out there and do what you do best! Save the women, kill the monsters, and pillage the loot! And make sure you get it right this time!"

That got a laugh from his clan mates, who couldn't see the smirk under his skull mask, as he continued, "Each four person team has the area they are to go to and patrol, look for the Volge, tell us at central command by hailer where they are, and if the Volge are a small enough group, kill them dead! Now I know and you know that each of you could kill ten Volge with both hands tied behind your backs, but if they outnumber you three-to-one, you just recon and report, and we'll regroup to attack them! Remember, we got civilians to protect! Who else is going to buy the loot we salvage? Now, get out of here!"

That got another laugh from his men and women, who then started their cars, racing off in clouds of dust and honking horns to their designated coordinates to find the Volge enemy. Somedude had already turned to Quartermaster Bocar and his daughter, Lady Christianna, stepping down unsteadily from his crate, as he said, "Lady! Find Belle Starr and give her this notepad from Ara Shondu! She'll be coming back from business in Silicon Valley, so she'll be driving from the tunnel at Port Bruno, so her next natural stop is Overpass. Simple: Go there now, intercept her, give her the pad - and don't muck this up"

Lady's mouth dropped, the gum falling out, as Somedude shoved the huge Crimefighter into her thin chalk white hands and weaved his way back the farm house, not bothering to look back as he took another swig from the beer bottle. Bocar mouthed, "Be safe," before hurrying after Somedude.

Lady merely rolled her pink eyes at her father before placing Ara's encypted notepad into her messenger bag, then smiled slightly as she hefted the Crimefighter onto her shoulder. She went to a row of parked ATVs neat the Vendor in front of the farm, picking the red one for she firmly believed that all red vehicles were faster, then pointed it south to begin her trip to Overpass.

---

Atticus Batman -

I chuckle at the Grid Rummy joke as does Dinara, while Kakusi grumbles in my head that it isn't funny. Then I ask Belle to hand me her encrypted hailer for a second. She thinks about it for a minute then cautiously hands it over. I keep one hand on the wheel and with the other I enter my encrypted frequency into it, then hand it back to her.

"My frequency. Give it to nobody. Don't bother trying to trace it, because you will never succeed. Besides, it is common knowledge that I can usually be found at Last Chance!"

I then start Driving again, when Dinara screams a warning in my head. "Atty, a lone Volge up ahead. I read two human life signs, but they are weak!" I think back, "Atty?!" She answers with, "OH HUSH! it's cute! Now be a GOOD guy and go save the humans!!!" Kakusi mumbles, "Bout jeking time we get action, your driving is BORING, fleshling!!!"

I step on the gas as I continue forward.

"Belle Volge ahead. Be prepared!"

As I accelerate over the next hill, I see A Volge descending on a little girl. An adult male laying nearby barely conscious. I veer my car and set it on a path to go right next to the screaming little girl, and yell at my companion.

"Belle take the wheel, and keep it straight. NOW!"

As Belle grabs the wheel, I stomp on the gas and lean out the window, and snatch up the girl as we go by. I quickly take the wheel and turn the car into a hard stop, with the girl still on my lap, clinging to me and crying. I hand her to Belle, then grab my LMG and jump out of the car, unleashing bullets on the Volge as I over charge. As he hits the ground I quickly scan and make sure all is clear. Then I go check the human male, who is hurt but alive. Quickly I get him into the Challenger. I then make quick time getting us to the Overpass so the E-rep soldiers there can make sure he is alright, and just in case there are more Volge on the way.

After we get there, I carry him out and over to an E-rep medic who looks him over while his daughter clings to Belle, asking if her daddy will be fine. Seeing that Belle can handle it, and being VERY uncomfortable around kids, I head to buy my rum. I down a 1 liter bottle, then dispose of the bottle in the right can, before getting two more. As I am putting them in my bag in the car, I notice Belle is still talking to the girl, so I check our prisoner, and escort him behind a crate to pee so he doesn't do so in my trunk. Then I take him back, and stick him back in there, and lean against my car to wait, getting yelled at by Dinara, for my stunt and absolutely sure Belle will let me have it for that tricky maneuver as well, when the young girl is out of earshot.

While waiting, Dinara finishes lecturing me, then scans my lifesigns and concurs with Kakusi that the rum does indeed seem to be having some kind of healing affect on my aching joints.

---

Atticus Batman -

I feel coldness as I open my eyes. When I look around all I see is a vast dark void all around me. I focus as I stand up and realize that, though I am in darkness I am enveloped in a bubble of electrical energy.

I say to the darkness, "What the jek is this?! Am I dead? By Irzu, I know this can't be heaven for it is cold and dark, but can't be hell either even if I do belong there! Am I in Purgatory? Did Belle survive?!?! Did my plan work, or did I die in vain?!?!?!"

Just then 3 figures step out of the darkness and into the bubble. I recognize the first immediately as an Irathient Dark Matter officer. The second to step through is a glowing blue Grid. He is followed immediately by a glowing white woman of pure energy with long hair. The Grid takes full form and his glow softens. The girl never solidifies though.

The Grid then begins to speak. "You are extremely stupid, Fleshling! You sacrificed everything for a whole planet of beings that would be more than happy to see you die and rot in oblivion! At least we went out with a BANG!!!!!!!"

The Enforcer is the next to say anything. "You jeking fool!!! You tried destroying yourself for a nasty human!! She will never have feelings for you, not for a superior alien! And definitely not one as scarred as us!!!"

He removes his Enforcer helm, and I see his face, my face, the face of Kabule!

Then the girl finally talks, " Hush both of you! He needs answers and our support. NOT the vengeance of a ghost from the past. or the cold violence and hard truth of his...other half!!! Atty, I will answer you. Yes you died in the explosion. Yes Belle Starr's ego says they made it out alive. I believe your plan succeeded at least in getting the Volge to converge on Sutro, but I can not say from there.

No you are not in Heaven or Hell, or even Purgatory. You did succumb to the rage. Kabule and Kakusi's combined rage destroyed all in the area of the Zhena Array Station. If Kakusi hadn't of done something, then you would have been destroyed. However, he did do something at the last second."

I look at her in confusion, "What do you mean he did something?! You said yourself, I am dead!!!"

Kakusi steps forward and places a hand on my cheek. "Fleshling, I teleported 'US' to Last Chance, your home. I knew it was where you you belonged. I did have to fight with your Dark Matter self for control of your body, before I could do so though. I am afraid he felt, if he couldn't retake the body then it should be destroyed. 'We' are at Last Chance. I have channeled 'our' powers, and managed to get your heart and lungs working enough to reactivate the Compu-Lady. She sent a distress signal, as I reawakened your specific consciousness. You're alive in the deepest recesses of your mind. As are the three of us. Your body is alive though it is comatose since we are all in this darkness. I hate the darkness!"

I look around, then respond in slight anger. "If you took control of my body, why is it comatose? Why are you in this darkness, instead of there?! Why is Kabule here?!?!?!"

Dinara then begins talking again, "Atty, calm down! Kabule and Kakusi are here, we are all here because we are all a part of you and care and worry about you in our own ways. Like it or not we all represent a different side of you.

Kabule is your vengeful egotistical side. Kakusi is your cold and calculated self- protecting side. I appear to be your more reasonable and polite side. And you, well you are the heroic but misunderstood and self despised side. However we can work together as one. Yes we are one.

With just you three together you are the embodiment of righteous fury. Add my stability, and we are the Hero everyone needs even if they don't want him."

I shake my head as I consider it. "I don't know. I get what you are saying, and if you are right and Kakusi did save my body to save me and not just himself, then you may be right but Kabule is still vindictive, self serving and a little evil. Kakusi, however is a species that does everything to survive so I am not sure I can believe he would just give me my body back!"

Kakusi raises his other hand and cups both my cheeks, "I did do it to save you. If I did not want or need you, then I would have destroyed Compu-lady instead of reactivating her. I also would not have protected your consciousness in this bubble. I would have destroyed it. However, after living off you for so long, I not only need you for my survival, but also because I am part of you. More now, than before the explosion!"

I just stare through him, "WHAT?! What are you talking about More a part of me than before?!"

Kakusi says,"In order for us to survive the explosion and for me to revive you I had to..........become an equal part of you......to merge with you. If somebody were to scan your vitals, they would no longer see an Irath infected by a Grid Symbiote, or a Grid taking over an Irath. They would se a combination..."

I respond with, "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"

Kakusi simply states," It means I am no longer a symbiote or infection. You can no longer get rid of me. I can not get rid of you. Though we are separate consciousness's, you and I, we are now one being. An Irathient-Grid hybrid. Your vitals will now and forever show you as half Irathient and half Grid. Compu-lady is right. Of us, three consciousnesses, that are in here, you are the best. Kabule just wants to destroy everything and watch it burn. I live purely for battle and survival. You are the only one of us three that strives for more, strives for the life that you deserve, and hopefully friends and family besides us. However we are a family of sorts."

I blink again and stare at all three in shock, "What are you saying?"

Dinara chimes in, "Atty, Griddy is right! Cranky boy will continue to cheer on violence from the darkness, as your bad side. Everybody has one. I will continue to be the voice of reason and stability. Griddy and you are now a merged body, though you retain your own conscious in your crowded brain. Also you, Griddy and I are a family. You are now basically body-brothers, and I your cyber-sister! (She giggles at that in a melodic girly giggle)

You are half Irathiant-half Grid, though your body still looks exactly like it did before the explosion. Kakusi Kabule and I are now basically a triad instead of a duo with you getting final say as our avatar. Of course the bright side is, now that your bodies and vitals are merged you will have complete control of his powers and he can help you focus without, hopefully without another zhena Array-like issue."

I look around again. "Are you all really fine with that arrangement?"

Kabule says he doesn't care as long as there will still be some vengeance and bloodshed, but he would prefer to enjoy the quiet of the bubble in the darkness that we are currently in, only being bugged when we REALLY need his advice or opinions.

Dinara says she is fine with it, as it is very reasonable, given the circumstances. Kakusi responds with, "Fleshling, of course we are fine with it. It was decided before we came to talk to you! My only condition to NOT frying you or Compu-lady though is that she QUIT calling me 'GRIDDY'! And you no longer lock me in this horrid darkness!!!!

Dinara reluctantly agrees, but insists that means he is now her gruff but lovable 'Shocky'! Kakusi agrees even though he is NOT lovable according to him. I agree to not push his consciousness into the darkness anymore, and to let Kabule stay in the bubble in the quiet darkness that he prefers.

Kakusi then squeezes my head between his hands and sends an electricalshock through me as he talks, "Good. It is settled. Now you MUST wake up, Fleshling! That female fleshling has found you and needs you back! as does all of Paradise!!!!"

I see flashes of blue and white and am forced to close my eyes.
 ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ================

When I reawaken, I am in Belle's arms clutched to Belle's naked and warm bosom. I blink a few times as I stare into her tear stained eyes, then start to talk, it coming as a whisper at first.

Starr Eyes, I believe this is where you are supposed to give the heroic knight a passionate kiss for sacrificing himself for the lovely lady and the greater good! Oh well...... I know that type of kiss from you, is not for me to get. I will settle for a loving embrace......just be careful, my whole body aches. As I smile, I realize most of my helm has been destroyed and she can see my loving smile, a smile I don't remember ever having before.

I then realize I am being held to her unclothed chest. "Did you lose your clothes for me or because of me? No matter it is a nice view, and a comforting place to be. Starr Eyes I am sooo cold and my Cyber rig isn't responding, but you are sooo very nice and warm. I'd love to hold you back but with the rigging not responding, all I can move is my head. And I think I like the view to much, to move it.

By the way Dinara, is saying my lifesigns have changed. She says I am no longer Irathiant with a Grid Symbiote, but am now 50% Irathiant and 50% Grid, a Irath-Grid hybrid. But seriously can I stay here a little longer, before you worry about getting my rigging fixed? I feel so comfortable for once, despite being cold!"

---

Belle Starr -

Belle Starr had changed into her black Castian business suit with the green jacket when she arrived at the VBI secret bunker and research facility that was her office, happy to take a quick shower and change from the dirty cast-off clothes her clan mates had found for her in Overpass. The bunker was located in San Francisco in the canyon below Overpass near the tunnel entrance, and was found when Karl Von Bach had set up his retail EGO shop there after his resurrection. VBI had taken it over, and given it to Belle when the Board of Directors had made her the Director of Security Analysis, where she and her hand-picked team of hackers sought to strengthen VBI's security, but which also had a fully functioning medical lab.

When Belle had found Atticus barely alive on the roof of the Last Chance, she had called her second-in-command, Chloe Mac Gyver, to send a med-vac copter to pick them up and take them to what Belle called "The Office." The comatose Atticus was immediately put into the modified Gulanee life pod that she herself had occupied only a few days before. Belle had spent almost every waking moment by Atticus' side while he was unconscious, with either Chloe or Dr. Orion there when she was not. Both of them were with her as she reviewed Atticus's medical condition.



Belle unconsciously swiped an errant blond bang from in front of her narrowed diamond blue eyes, her pale brow furrowed in concentration as she looked at the med pad, not being able to make any sense of what she read on it, then looked down at the Liberata with the graying mustache and lab coat, asking, "What does this all mean Doctor Orion?"

The diminutive doctor looked up at Belle, then sighed and patiently explained, "It seems Mr. Batman's Irathian physiology is changing into a hybrid form of Irathian and Grid, retaining the attributes of both. His EGO unit seems to be facilitating the mutation, which is fascinating in and of itself. It even seems to be grafting into the flesh and bone of the subject, so that you cannot even see a clear division between the organic and inorganic anymore. It's fascinating! I bet I could get a billion scrip grant from the Earth Republic Science Council to study the process!"

Belle's pretty rose petal lips turned into a pout as she quickly replied, "You will do no such thing Doctor! Besides me, only you and Chloe are privy to this information, and both of you are sworn to secrecy!"

Doctor Orion sighed before answering, his small arms waved in dismissal, "Sure, sure, I never bite the hand that feeds me Director Starr. Still, this subject is fascinating!"

Belle had been prepared not to like Doctor Orion when she first met him, her experiences with Varus Soleptor souring her on the race, but had hired him based on his work that found computer viruses being much like human viruses, and that could be treated as such. Since hiring him months before, he had earned her trust tenfold, so she trusted both him and Chloe with Atticus' secret.

"Don't forget that we need to wipe all trace of this research from our records when Atticus wakes up, and none of this information leaves this facility," Ordered a concerned Belle, "That includes video and audio records too!"

"Yeah, yeah Boss, don't worry! The system in this lab monitoring your friend is completely self-contained. I made sure of that personally," Replied Chloe Mac Gyver, the five-foot nine-inch tall buxom redhead with the green eyes stood next to the life pod, peeking in the picture window watching the unconscious Atticus, his helmet and clothes being removed to facilitate treatment.

Chloe Mac Gyver had a Scottish name, but looked Irish, and sounded Australian. Chloe had been a corporate spy since sixteen, operating from a basement in Defiance, selling information to the highest bidder. E-Rep, cooperating with VBI, had caught her at twenty-six in a sting operation. Belle had rescued her from a life sentence at Vegas Prison, getting VBI to drop charges and having Chloe put under Belle's supervision for her past crimes. Chloe genuinely like her job as the team leader of other hackers who were similarly rescued by Belle, and genuinely liked Belle. As a rule, Chloe hated authoritarian figures, but Belle always made her employees feel like they were part of a family, not a hierarchical organization.

"Hey Boss!" Chloe smiled mischievously as she regarded Atticus, because she liked to call Belle Boss because she knew it bothered Belle, then asked, "He's kind of handsome in a rugged sort of way, if he wasn't all scarred up. Why doesn't his EGO heal his scars like yours does?"

"My best guess is that it is psychological," Dr. Orion interjected with a wave of his hand, adding with a hint of irritation, "And my best guess you can always take to the bank."

Belle had originally thought it strange that a Liberata would go into science, since most Liberata seem to be all about the scrip. Then she realized after working with Dr. Orion for a while that he was all about the scrip, but that he was brilliant at science and had found a way to make science pay.

Chloe then waved to get their attention, still looking in the pod's window while saying excitedly, "Hey his head is moving around! He's even smiling! He must be having quite a dream!"

Dr. Orion and Belle hurried to Chloe's side, Belle quickly opening the clasps that kept the pod closed. As the pod opened with a hiss and the lid opened slowly, Belle looked inside, her jaw fell as a blush spread up her neck and into her freckled cheeks. Chloe put a hand to her mouth and began to laugh hysterically, more at Belle's reaction than at what she saw there.

Dr. Orion stood on his tip toes to see what the commotion was about, but when he saw, he merely said, "Oh my!"

Still laughing, Chloe joked, "Things really are larger than they appear in the mirror!"

Belle frowned, "I think the term was closer, but that's beside the point. Um... can we cover that up please?"

Chloe was also turning red in the face, but it was from laughing at Belle so hard, however the attractive redhead grabbed a blanket from the table next to the pod and draped it over Atticus' groin, her green eyes lingering for a moment before doing so, saying with a grin, "But it really is a shame to hide this beauty!"

At this point, Atticus' eyes fluttered open, and Belle said with a warm smile, "Welcome back, hero!"

---

Blackgut -

by the time the 13th reinforcements arrived blackgut and the surviving dragoons had killed over 50% of the volge with the reinforcement and ammo they quickly wiped out the rest and killed the warmaster . one of the dragoons found some kind of grid device that was jamming the coms as they were leaving blackgut trip on something .blackgut: what this sheild doing here its badly damaged wait i recognized this its the sheild i modifed for batman howed that get here guess ill fix it and give it back to himas soon as i can find him

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